Denmark–Iceland relations

Denmark–Iceland relations are the foreign relations between Denmark and Iceland. Iceland was a Norwegian dependency since the Middle Ages and thus became part of the Kalmar Union and Denmark–Norway, both entities dominated by Denmark. After the dissolution of Denmark–Norway, Iceland was a part of the Kingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1918 and a separate kingdom in a personal union with Denmark until 1944, when Iceland declared independence.

Danish-Icelandic relations
Map indicating locations of Denmark and Iceland

Denmark
Iceland

Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Nordic Council, NATO, and Council of Europe.

Diplomatic relations were established on 16 August 1920.[1]

History

19th century

Iceland achieved home rule in 1874, and became a fully sovereign state in 1918, united with Denmark under a common King. In 1814, following the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark-Norway was broken up into two separate kingdoms via the Treaty of Kiel. Iceland, however, remained a Danish dependency.[2]

20th century
Main article: Iceland during World War II

The German occupation of Denmark on 9 April 1940 severed communications between Iceland and Denmark. As a result, on 10 April, the Parliament of Iceland, Alþingi, elected to take control of foreign affairs, electing a provisional governor, Sveinn Björnsson, who later became the republic's first president. During the first year of World War II, Iceland strictly enforced a position of neutrality, taking action against both the United Kingdom and German forces violating the laws of neutrality. On 10 May 1940, Operation Fork was launched and UK military forces began an invasion of Iceland by sailing into Reykjavík harbor. The government of Iceland issued a protest against what it called a "flagrant violation" of Icelandic neutrality. On the day of the invasion, prime minister Hermann Jónasson read a radio announcement telling Icelanders to treat the British troops with politeness as guests.

Following a referendum on 24 May 1944, Iceland formally became an independent republic on 17 June 1944. Since Denmark was still occupied by Nazi Germany, many Danes felt offended that the step should have been taken at this time. Despite this the Danish king, Christian X, sent a message of congratulations to the Icelandic people.

Resident diplomatic missions
  • Embassy of Denmark in Reykjavík
    Embassy of Denmark in Reykjavík
  • Embassy of Iceland in Copenhagen
    Embassy of Iceland in Copenhagen

See also

References
  1. Halldór Ásgrímsson (2000). "Ljósmyndasýning í tilefni af 60 ára afmæli utanríkisþjónustunnar 10. apríl 2000" (PDF) (in Icelandic). p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-09-02. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  2. "For Iceland, an exodus of workers". New York Times. 2008-12-05. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  3. "Embassy of Denmark in Reykjavík". Archived from the original on 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  4. "Embassy of Iceland in Copenhagen". Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
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