Iceland–United Kingdom relations

Icelandic–British relations are foreign relations between Iceland and the United Kingdom.

Iceland was a Danish possession until the 1940s. Fearing an Axis move against Iceland follwowing the Nazi Occupation of Denmark, British forces landed on Iceland in 1940, despite the protests of the Icelandic government, and remained there until 1941 (when United States forces replaced the British). In 1944, Iceland declared its independance, and was recognised by London.

Since Iceland’s independence until the mid 1970’s, bilateral relations were difficult due to the 'Cod Wars' (a series of disputes over fishing rights in the 1950s and 1970s). Since then relations are much better, mainly because both countries have common interests including free trade, defense, environmental protection and international peace. Both countries are NATO and the European Economic Area.

The United Kingdom has an embassy in Reykjavik. Iceland has an embassy in London and 17 honorary consulates in: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dover, East Yorkshire, Edinburgh, Fleetwood, Glasgow, Grimsby, Guernsey, Jersey (in the Channel Islands), Lerwick, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northern Ireland, and York.

ee also

* Foreign relations of Iceland
* Foreign relations of the United Kingdom

External links

* [http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/country-profiles/europe/iceland?profile=all The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on relations with Iceland]
* [http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1025188494661 The British embassy in Reykjavik]
* [http://www.iceland.org/uk Icelandic embassy in London]