04.10.14

Murkowski Continues Building Arctic Partnership with Iceland

More Arctic Solution-Seeking in Meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski today met with Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson to continue advancing a thoughtful and productive conversation among Arctic nations.  Sveinsson, whose position is comparable to the U.S. Secretary of State, came to Senator Murkowski’s office to discuss diplomatic relations among Arctic countries and update her on Iceland’s recent work and initiatives.

Murkowski is committed to pushing the U.S. government to demonstrate greater leadership in the Arctic – having given a speech on the Senate floor earlier this week about the nation’s rudderless and weak vision for an Arctic future for America – as countries worldwide are investing in Arctic opportunities.

“It was great to have Minister Sveinsson in my office and discuss what is facing the Arctic community. The relationship between Iceland and the United States is one that I take pride in fostering, as our region is unique in the world as one marked by peace and opportunities,” said Murkowski.  “Today, Minister Sveinsson and I discussed the state of the region given Russia’s recent actions – and how we need to maintain an atmosphere for positive and responsible actions among the Arctic nations.”

 

(Senator Murkowski and Minister Sveinsson in Washington D.C.)