News

Weekly Web Release November 10, 2005

<p>Demographic developments – Meeting of EFTA and EU ministers of economy and finance</p>

Arctic Change and Policy Implications

A Keynote Address By Ambassador Gunnar Pálsson at The Second International Conference on Arctic Research Planning, ICARP II.<br>

Reform of the Security Council

Statement in the Security Council by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters.

Weekly Web Release November 3, 2005

<p>Treasury finances, January-September 2005 – Corporate tax rises sharply between years – Merchandise imports in October</p>

Sustainable development

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations at the Second Committee of the 60th Session of the General Assembly. Item 85: Sustainable development

Treasury finances January - October 2005. Report date: November 1st, 2005.

Local democracy in Iceland - situation in 2005

<p>A new Bill amending the Local Government Elections Act was passed in Althingi in the year 2002. The Bill provides that all foreign nationals who have had five years of continuous (uninterrupted) legal residence (domicile) in Iceland are granted the right to vote.</p>

2006 - Fiscal budget information

Highlights of the 2006 Budget Proposal and Appendix tables - Budget Proposal 2006 part I

Weekly Web Release October 27, 2005

Economic prospects in the Nordic countries - Wage agreements - towards gender equality - Presentation of fiscal finances on a national accounts basis

Women and peace and security

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations. Women and peace and security, Open debate in the Security Council.

The Global Road Safety Crisis

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations at the General Assembly. Agenda item 60: The Global Road Safety Crisis.

Report of the Economic and Social Council

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the General Assembly.

Convention on Combating Desertification (CCD)

Statement by Iceland, delivered by Mr. Bjarni Sigtryggsson, Counsellor.

Weekly Web Release October 20, 2005

Measuring fiscal restraint and the fiscal accounts - What is the share of foreigners in Iceland? - The impact of ageing on public services

Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations .

Weekly Web Release October 13, 2005

The tax burden in Iceland and other OECD countries - Contributions to church congregations - Treasury investment expenditure and economic growth

Advancement of women

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly.

Weekly Web Release October 6, 2005

Treasury finances, January-August 2005 - The scope for using fiscal policy in the business cycle - Imports in September.

Voting rights of foreign nationals in referendums on merging of local authorities

Referendum on merging of local authorities will take place in many municipalities on the 8^th of October 2005 (see enclosed list of municipalities).

New Economic Forecast for 2005-2010

The Ministry of Finance has released a new forecast for the Icelandic economy for the years 2005 to 2007 in addition to a longer-term projection until 2010.

Disarmament & International Security

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly.<br>

Economic Forecast for 2005-2010

Treasury finances January - September 2005. Report date: October 1st, 2005.

Treasury finances January - August 2005. Report date: September 30, 2005.

Weekly Web Release September 29, 2005

Fifty years of the Economic Outlook - Treasury finances in 2004 - Abolished taxes

Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the work of the Organization

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the 60th General Assembly.<br>

New Minister for Foreign Affairs

Former Minister of Finance, Mr. Geir H. Haarde, took office today as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Weekly Web Release September 22, 2005

Government aid case before the EFTA Court - Outsourcing - Iceland dispenses advice

60th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations

Statement by H.E. Mr. Davíð Oddsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland.<br>

Address by the Prime Minister of Iceland at the UN 2005

Statement by H.E. Mr. Halldór Ásgrímsson Prime Minister of Iceland at the Sixtieth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Sptember 2005.

Weekly Web Release September 15, 2005

Household disposable income increasing sharply - A new pay system for central government agencies - Changes among state agency heads

Weekly Web Release September 8, 2005

Imports in August - The share of indexed government bonds is declining

Weekly Web Release September 1, 2005

Treasury finances, January - July 2005 - Review of EU Regional Aid Guidelines - Research award by the Ministry of Finance

Treasury finances January - July 2005. Report date: September 1st, 2005.

Figures for Treasury finances for the seven months of 2005 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 185.1 billion increasing by 34.6 billion or 23%.

Weekly Web Release August 25, 2005

Treasury expenditure by government function - Double-taxation developments.

Weekly Web Release August 18, 2005

Real prices of petrol have often been higher than now - Double-taxation developments - Status of negotiations with central government employees.

Weekly Web Release August 11, 2005

Voluntary pension saving is becoming more widespread - Agreements on an exchange of information on tax matters - The interest cost of the Treasury - Sales profits from Iceland Telecom in Treasury and national accounts

Treasury finances January - June 2005. Report date: August 4th, 2005

Figures for Treasury finances for the six months of 2005 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 165.5 billion increasing by 32 billion or 23.9%.

Women and Development

<p></p> <p align=left>Two statements by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the Substantive Session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).</p> <p></p>

The Question of Equitable Representation on the Security Council

<p></p> <p align=left>Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations.</p> <p></p>

Treasury finances January - May 2005. Report date: June 30, 2005

Figures for Treasury finances for the five months of 2005 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 136.6 billion increasing by 27.4 billion or 25.1%.

The Millennium Development Goals

Statement by Mr. Hjálmar W. Hannesson Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the Substantive Session of the Economic and Social Council High-level segment.

Preparation for the 2005 Summit

<p></p> <p align=left>Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the General Assembly Informal Consultations of the Plenary on the Preparation for the 2005 Summit</p> <p></p>

Nordic foreign ministers: Iraq needs our assistance

<p>A joint article on Iraq by the foreign ministers of the Nordic Countries was published on 22 June in Berlingske Tidende, Denmark, in Dagbladet, Norway, in Helsingin Sanomat, Finland, in Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden, and in Morgunbladid, Iceland.</p> <p></p>

CPT Report 2005

Response of the Icelandic Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Iceland from 3 to 10 June 2004

Treasury finances January - April 2005. Report date: June 2, 2005

Figures for Treasury finances for the four months of 2005 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 114.3 billion, increasing by 23.2 billion or 25.4%.

Democracy and Human Rights: A Mission for NATO?

Address by Ambassador Gunnar Palsson at a conference of the Atlantic Youth Association of Iceland.

Post-Conflict Peacebuilding

Statement by Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations, at the open debate of the Security Council on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding on 26 May 2005.

Address by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Oddsson

<p align=left>Address by David Oddsson, Foreign Minister of Iceland, at the Summit Meeting of the Council of Europe in Warsaw 17 May 2005.</p> <p></p>

Treasury finances January - March 2005. Report date: May 12, 2005

Figures for Treasury finances for the three months of 2005 are now available. Total Treasury revenue amounted to 79.4 billion, increasing by 14.8 billion or 25.4%.