Switzerland and Iceland enjoy close and friendly relations, marked in particular by their cooperation within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Mr Engler’s visit to Reykjavik provided an opportunity to strengthen contacts at the highest parliamentary level with the speaker of the Althingi, Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, and representatives of the Icelandic parliament. The delegation was also received by Iceland’s foreign minister, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.
The talks provided an opportunity for an in-depth discussion of economic and European policy issues, in particular the two countries’ relations with the European Union and the future of EFTA cooperation. Current international and geopolitical challenges, issues relating to sustainable tourism, and responding to natural hazards and their impact on the public and infrastructure were also discussed.
The delegation attended a plenary session of the Althingi and visited a number of places to learn about Iceland’s disaster protection arrangements and the consequences of recent seismic and volcanic activity, particularly in the Grindavík region.
Mr Engler was accompanied by Damian Müller (FDP/LU), head of the Federal Assembly’s EFTA/EU delegation, Brigitte Häberli-Koller (The Centre/TG) and Mathias Zopfi (The Greens/GL) – all members of the Council of States.