SENATOR JOHNSON CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO ICELAND WITH FOREIGN MINISTER BAIRD

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, December 1, 2014 – Manitoba Senator Janis Johnson concluded a successful bilateral visit to Iceland with Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird.
On November 28 and 29, Senator Johnson accompanied Minister Baird on a number of official visits beginning with Iceland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson.

A visit was also paid to Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson.

Responsible resource development, increased international trade, international security issues and other areas of bilateral cooperation between Canada and Iceland were discussed.

Baird and Johnson also visited Iceland’s Parliament, the Althingi, where they met with Mr. Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson, Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, as well as members of the Foreign Relations Committee.

“Our nations have strong historical and cultural links,” commented Senator Johnson. “Canada has the largest diaspora of Icelanders of any country in the world, and we look forward to building on this relationship even more in the future.”

A wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Fossvogur Cemetery, where Baird and Johnson laid a wreath on behalf of Canada at the Cross of Sacrifice and placed poppies and Canadian flags at each of the graves of fallen Canadian soldiers and sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iceland during the Second World War.

The cultural richness of Iceland was also explored, where similarities between Iceland and Canada’s North were observed. Furthering the exchange of ideas and historical experiences between the two countries were identified as another area of collaboration.

“I am honoured and proud to have participated in this bilateral visit to Iceland. As both Canada and Iceland are prominent Arctic countries, we have a lot to work together on. Our common values and ideals will guide us through both current and future global challenges.”

Andrew C. Miller, MSc.
Policy Advisor – Conseiller politique
Office of the Honourable Janis G. Johnson
Senator for Manitoba
Andrew.miller@sen.parl.gc.ca
Office: (613) 996-6071
Cell: (613) 608-6824
Fax: (613) 992-5029

Photos: Eggert Jóhannesson for the Embassy of Canada in Iceland.

 

Visit to the Fossvogur Cemetery where a Commonwealth War Graves section is located and where annual Remembrance Day ceremonies take place among Allies with representation from the Icelandic Coast Guard, Canadian expat community, Allied diplomatic missions and Icelandic Coast Guard and government security-related officials were invited to a short wreath laying ceremony, and a visit to the graves of a group of Canadian soldiers who died in the sinking of the Skeena in WW2. It was an opportunity to thank families and descendants of families that braved the North Atlantic in fishing boats to rescue Canadian sailors and to underline the relationship of Iceland as a close ally and founding member of NATO.

Visit to the historic Icelandic parliament (Althingi) for meeting with the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

 

Those present are, from left to right: The Honourable Janis G. Johnson, Senator of Canada; H.E. Mr. Stewart Wheeler, Ambassador of Canada to Iceland; The Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Garry Keller, Chief of Staff to Minister John Baird

Those present are, from left to right: Prime Minister of Iceland, Mr. Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson; H.E. Mr. Sturla Sigurjónsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada; The Honourable Janis G. Johnson, Senator of Canada; H.E. Mr. Stewart Wheeler, Ambassador of Canada to Iceland; The Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs

 Those present are, from left to right: The Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs; The Honourable Janis G. Johnson, Senator of Canada

 

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