A new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ossur Skarphedinsson, took office 2 February.

Significant progress has been made towards solving the differences on the interpretation of legal obligations with respect to deposit guarantees in the European Economic Area.

As a modern globalised economy and an active participant in EU´s single market, Iceland was among the first to become seriously hit in this unprecedented financial crisis.

The Icelandic Government has reached an agreement ad referendum with a mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a comprehensive stabilisation program.

From the Icelandic Tourist Board: While Iceland and most other countries are currently dealing with a serious financial crisis, business in Iceland is being conducted as usual. All services - including banking services – are functioning as on any other day.

The Consular Affairs Unit of the Ministry for Foreign Affair’s "Borgarathjonustan" is responsible for the safeguarding of the interests and safety of Icelandic citizen abroad. The unit can be reached throughout the year, 24 hours a day.

Due to the special circumstances on the Icelandic financial markets the Government of Icelandic has decided to open an information center for the public, businesses and the media, both in Iceland and abroad.The purpose of the center is to receive enquiries by telephone or email, addressed to the Icelandic authorities regarding the current circumstances.

The Japanese newspaper Japan Times carried an interesting article on Iceland under the heading "Iceland

Iceland tops peace index, wrote the Guardian on May

read the article

 

http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/22/stories/2008052256612400.htm

The Icelandic bands múm and Skakkamanage will visit Japan this month and perform in Osaka and Tokyo.

The Iceland Chamber of Commerce has published a new report on the internationalisation of the Icelandic finance sector. The authors are

Delivered at the Althing at its 135^th legislative session, 2007 - 2008.

Wonder Eyes Photo Exhibition-photos taken by Icelandic children will take place from 2 to 30 August at Gallery Walk of Kyodo News Bldg. Shiodome Media Tower 3F  

"Screaming Masterpiece" Icelandic documentary film about Iceland´s contemporary music scene is cominｇ out on 7 July in Cine Quinto in Shibuya.

Johann Johannson and 3 Icelandic musicians will perform at the 23rd Tokyo Summer Music Festival: "Towards the islands-Sounds across the Sea"

A new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, took office on May 24, twelve days after the general elections.

The Policy Statement of the new coalition government can be read here: http://iceland.org/media/us/Policy.pdf -- Icelandic version (PDF).

A new coalition government has been formed in Iceland between the Independednt party and the Alliance. The new government took office on May 24, but general elections were held in Iceland on May 12.

Pacific Business Consulting Inc., and Landsteinar Strengur officially announced the release of the Japanese version of LS Retail, an ERP integrated management solution for the Japanese retail companies.