News and Events
Iceland and Newfoundland to Boost Cooperation
At a press conference in St. John´s the Icelandic Prime Minister told reporters: “It’s been an eye-opener to visit Newfoundland and Labrador and compare notes – learn about your challenges and tell you a little about our situation”.
Premier Williams, who visited Iceland almost a year ago, noted the similarities between Iceland and the province, with both populations living on islands in the North Atlantic. He also pointed to the investment of a quarter-billion dollars by Icelandic banks in Newfoundland fishery enterprises. The two leaders said they were working on a memorandum of understanding between their respective jurisdictions. They discussed fisheries, natural resources and cultural issues.
Following his meeting with Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde was quoted in the daily Morgunbladid as saying:
"There is a great interest in all relations with Iceland here. A decision was made at the meeting to initiate preparation of an agreement for closer cooperation between the province and Iceland. For example, such an agreement could cover fisheries, transport, energy and cultural affairs.”
Prime Minister Haarde further said that the people of Newfoundland were pleased that Icelandair would be flying to Halifax, but they would also very much like there to be direct flights to St. John's.
The Icelandic Prime Minister thought it was "noteworthy" how the mass media in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and throughout Canada had shown great interest in his visit from Iceland.