Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir

Grateful for a chance for a quick catch-up with @MartaKosEU. Informed her of government decision to propose a referendum on resumption of Iceland’s accession negotiations. If the people of 🇮🇸 say yes we will enter talks & fight vigorously for a good outcome for Iceland & Europe.

Good meeting with @kajakallas today, pleased to sign the Security & Defence Partnership between Iceland & EU, thus taking further steps to expand & strengthen cooperation with close allies & partners. Fits well with Iceland’s first defence & security policy adopted last month.

Good meeting at NATO HQ with @DepSecGenNATO Radmila Shekerinska. I briefed her about Iceland´s new defence & security policy, unanimously adopted by parliament. 🇮🇸 is a committed NATO Ally & welcomes increased focus on the Arctic. Support for Ukraine remains of utmost importance.

Iceland expresses solidarity with the countries affected by Iran’s indiscriminate attacks. These actions are reckless, unacceptable, and must cease immediately.

Alarmed by conflict underway in the Middle East. Iran’s authorities have shown enormous brutality against their own people & fueled regional & global insecurity. Iceland urges de-escalation, return to dialogue & diplomacy & respect for int’l law. Protecting civilians is paramount

Today @UN_HCR, I reiterated that for four long years the people of Ukraine have endured the unimaginable—facing winter without reliable heat or light. If Russia stopped fighting today, this war would end. Iceland stands, & will continue to stand, in full solidarity with Ukraine.

Russia’s illegal & unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused devastating human suffering. We continue to call for a just & lasting peace, grounded in international law & accountability.

A valuable meeting with @volker_turk today @UN_HRC. Grateful for the great discussions on the state of the global human rights system and the urgent need to step up the fight for human rights worldwide.

Today @UN_HRC I warned that fundamental principles are being deliberately dismantled. This erosion of democracy, human dignity & the rules-based international order is existential for small states like Iceland—our security and prosperity depend on it.

The meeting with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi was especially important. Japan is a valued NATO partner and it was a good conversation about issues of common concern. I leave Japan convinced that the relationship between 🇮🇸 and 🇯🇵 will continue to grow.

Very good visit to Japan coming to an end. It was a privilege to visit Nagasaki & to meet with authorities there and to lay a wrath to honor atomic bomb victims. We must never forget the lessons taught by history.

Good meeting with my Japanese colleague, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, in Tokyo. We discussed 🇮🇸 & 🇯🇵 bilateral relationship, trade issues, security & defense in Europe, including Russia´s ongoing aggression towards Ukraine, Arctic issues & developments in the Indo-Pacific.

Sudan faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Today, @UN_HRC, 🇮🇸 on behalf of Nordics & Baltics, underlined need for accountability & unhindered access to El Fasher & other areas. Breaking the cycle of violence & impunity is vital to prevent further catastrophe.

Nordic friends patrolling the skies over & around Iceland. 💪 Warm welcome to close ally 🇸🇪 on their first NATO Air Policing Mission in 🇮🇸. A clear sign of how Sweden's NATO membership has deepened our defence cooperation & contributes to our collective security. Thank you Sweden

Full statement: government.is/news/article/2…

Along with Foreign Ministers of 🇧🇪🇨🇦🇩🇰🇫🇷🇮🇪🇯🇵🇳🇴🇵🇹🇪🇸 & 🇬🇧 I strongly condemn the demolition of UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities. The Government of Israel must abide by its international obligations to ensure the protection & inviolability of UN premises.

Today, we remember the victims of the Holocaust, not only to mourn the past, but to protect the future. Antisemitism, racial hatred, and dehumanization must never be tolerated. #WeRemember

Statement by the Nordic Baltic States - 🇮🇸🇩🇰🇸🇪🇫🇮🇳🇴🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹 - on Russia’s destruction of energy infrastructure in Ukraine 👇 government.is/news/article/2…

Today at the @UN_HRC, we stood in solidarity with the Iranian people in their fight for dignity, justice, and freedom. Killings and violence against peaceful protesters cannot go unanswered—accountability is essential.👇government.is/news/article/2…

An important initiative at the @UN_HRC, led by Iceland. The situation in Iran is grave — people are being killed for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. This violence must end immediately. Full statement 👇