Исландияның сыртқы қатынастарына шолу

Overview of the foreign relations of Iceland

Iceland took control of its foreign affairs in 1918 when it became a sovereign country, the Kingdom of Iceland, in a personal union with the King of Denmark. As a fully independent state, Iceland could have joined the League of Nations in 1918, but chose not to do so for cost reasons. It negotiated with Denmark to initially carry out most of its foreign relations, while maintaining full control. Denmark appointed a diplomatic envoy (Ambassador) to Iceland in 1919 and Iceland reciprocated in 1920, opening an Embassy in Copenhagen. Iceland established its own Foreign Service in April 1940 when Denmark became occupied by Nazi Germany and ties between the two countries were severed. The Republic of Iceland was founded in 1944. The Icelandic foreign service grew slowly in the post WWII period, but increased rapidly after the mid 1990s. Iceland's closest relations are with the Nordic states, the European Union and the United States. Iceland has been a member of the United Nations since 1946. From 1951 to 2006, there was an American military base and troop presence in Iceland. During the Cold War, Iceland had a close but contentious relationship with the United States, leading some scholars to describe Iceland as a "rebellious ally" and "reluctant ally." Disagreements with Norway and Russia over fishing rights in the Barents Sea were successfully resolved in 2000.

Certain environmentalists are concerned that Iceland left the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in June 1992 in protest of an IWC decision to refuse to lift the ban on whaling, after the IWC Scientific Committee had determined that the taking of certain species could safely be resumed. That year, Iceland established a separate commission – along with Norway, Greenland and the Faroe Islands – for the conservation, management, and study of marine mammals. Since then, Iceland has resumed whaling for scientific purpose and has rejoined the IWC (in October 2002). The Icelandic Fisheries Ministry issued a permit to hunt 39 whales for commercial purposes on 17 October 2006. 25 states delivered a formal diplomatic protest to the Icelandic government on 1 November concerning resumed commercial whaling. The protest was led by the United Kingdom and supported by others such as Finland and Sweden.

Iceland was the first country to recognize the regained independence of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan from the USSR in 1990–1991. Similarly, it was the first country to recognize Montenegro's independence from its former union with Serbia. Iceland was also the first country to recognize Croatia, having done so on 19 December 1991. Significantly, Iceland was also the first Western state to recognise Palestine when it did so in 2011. Iceland also is the greatest Nordic contributor per capita to NATO led troops in Bosnia and Kosovo, to the police in Bosnia and to Bosnian/Kosovan reconstruction, resettlement and relief efforts.

Iceland is a member of the following organisations: North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Organization for Security and Co operation in Europe; International Criminal Court; International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; International Development Association; International Finance Corporation; Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development; European Economic Area; European Free Trade Association; Council of Europe; International Criminal Police Organization; and the United Nations, since 19 November 1946, and most of its specialized agencies, including the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Labour Organization, International Maritime Organization, International Telecommunication Union, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Universal Postal Union, World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization and the International Whaling Commission. Iceland was given the opportunity to join the League of Nations after becoming sovereign in 1918, but opted not to, primarily due to limited administrative resources. Iceland joined the UN in 1945 but took until 1965 to establish a permanent mission. In the IMF, Iceland is in the Nordic Baltic constituency of the 24 member executive board of the IMF, along with Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Iceland has an ongoing dispute with Denmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands) on the one hand and with the UK and Ireland on the other hand, concerning claims to the continental shelf in the Hatton–Rockall area of the North Atlantic under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982). Iceland's claim covers virtually the entire area claimed by the other three countries, except for a small portion in the south east corner of the Irish claim, while the Faroes claim most of the area claimed by the UK and Ireland. Negotiations continue between the four countries in the hope of making a joint proposal to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf by May 2009.

Following the collapse of Icesave sparking the 2008–2011 Icelandic financial crisis, the U. K. and the Netherlands offered to insure the deposits of the bank's customers. They then sought repayment from Iceland, which held a referendum on the issue in 2010 and 2011, both of which failed. The two governments then said they would take the issue to European courts to seek redress they alleged is owed to them. In January 2013 the EFTA court cleared Iceland of all charges.

Iceland has had a close relationship with the European Union (EU) throughout its development, but has remained outside (instead, joining the European Free Trade Area or EFTA). In 1972, the two sides signed a free trade agreement and in 1994 Iceland joined the European Economic Area which let itself and other non EU states have access to the EU's internal market in exchange for Iceland contributing funds and applying EU law in relevant areas. The EU is Iceland's most important trading partner with a strong trade surplus in 2008/9 in terms of goods, services and foreign direct investment. Iceland also participates in the Schengen Area (as well as relevant police and judicial cooperation) and has non voting representation in some EU agencies. However, after Iceland's financial crash in 2008, it has sought membership of the EU and the euro. Iceland applied on 16 July 2009 and negotiations formally began 17 June 2011. After an agreement is concluded, the accession treaty must be ratified by every EU state and be subject to a national referendum in Iceland. Since the application was submitted, popular support has declined and contentious issues around Icelandic fisheries may derail negotiations. However the Icelandic government is confident an agreement can be reached based on the flexibility shown by the EU in its previous negotiations with Norway. In 2014, Iceland froze their application to join the European Union.

The Agreed Minute was a statute governing the nature of the U. S. military presence in Iceland. The Agreed Minute was last renegotiated in 2001. At the time, the U. S. Air Force committed itself to maintaining four to six interceptors at the Keflavík base, supported by a helicopter rescue squad. The Air Force, in order to cut costs, announced plans to remove the four remaining jets in 2003. The removal was then delayed to address Icelandic demands for continued presence of the jets. After an unfruitful series of negotiations and two reshuffles of the Icelandic government the issue lay dormant until early 2006 when the U. S. Air Force issued an official statement that withdrawal of the aircraft was already being prepared. U. S. officials have since then argued that Iceland is in no need of a military presence. NATO allies since then conduct air policing after the U. S. Air Force withdrawal.

Country Diplomatic Relations EstablishedNotes1952 Argentina is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway. Iceland is accredited to Argentina from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík and maintains an honorary consulate Buenos Aires.1979Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 April 1979. 2004Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 7 July 2004. Iceland has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate general in Winnipeg.1963 Chile is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway. Iceland is accredited to Chile from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík.1981 Colombia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Iceland is accredited to Colombia from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík.1956 Cuba is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Iceland is accredited to Cuba from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.2004Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2004. Iceland is represented in Dominica through its embassy in New York City, United States. Both countries have an agreement on cooperation on geothermal energy.2005Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 10 March 2005. Mexico is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.4 June 1999Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1999.2004Iceland is represented in Paraguay by its embassy in Washington, United States. Paraguay is represented in Iceland by its embassy in London, United Kingdom. 1967 Iceland is accredited to Peru from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavík and maintains an honorary consulate in Lima. Peru is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.27 May 2004Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 May 2004. Iceland is represented in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by its Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States.2004Iceland is represented in Saint Kitts and Nevis by its Mission to the United Nations in New York City, United States. 1991 Iceland is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Washington, D. C., United States. Uruguay is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in London, United Kingdom and maintains an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.

Country Diplomatic Relations EstablishedNotes1984 Australia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. Iceland is accredited to Australia from its embassy in Beijing, China.25 January 1993Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1993. 2004Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 2004. 1988 Iceland is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Beijing, China and maintains honorary consulates in Auckland and Nelson. New Zealand is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.2004Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 October 2004.