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State visit to Iceland

Topic: Report

12 June 2019

The Federal President and Elke Büdenbender visited the Republic of Iceland from 12 to 14 June. In Reykjavik the Federal President was welcomed by President Guðni Jóhannesson and held political talks. In visiting Iceland, he was also commemorating the arrival of around 500 German women who had come to Iceland in 1949 to work in agriculture. On the second day of the visit, the focus was on climate change and a sustainable energy supply.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender are walking on the Eldfell volcano during their state visit to Iceland

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender visited the Republic of Iceland from 12 to 14 June.

On the first day of his visit, the Federal President was welcomed by President Guðni Jóhannesson in the capital Reykjavik. The Federal President held political talks with President Jóhannesson, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Speaker of Althingi (Icelandic parliament) Steingrímur Sigfússon. He also visited the studio of artist Ólafur Elíasson.

In visiting Iceland, the Federal President was also commemorating the arrival of around 500 German women who had come to Iceland on the vessel Esja in 1949 to work in agriculture. He met some of these women and their descendants and opened a photo exhibition on German women in Iceland.

On the second day of the state visit, the focus was on climate change, environmental protection and a sustainable energy supply. Accompanied by climate experts, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender visited a geothermal power plant and learned about how Iceland deals with its volcanoes and disaster prevention in the LAVA centre in Hvolsvöllur. Afterwards, they had a guided tour of Sólheimajökull glacier.

During a trip to Vestmannaeyjar, they visited a seawater combined heat and power plant, VSV fishery and a girls’ football tournament. After a tour of Eldfell volcano, the Federal President attended a reception at Eldheimar Volcano Museum of Remembrance.

Overview of the programme:

Wednesday, 12 June

  • Flight to Reykjavik
  • Residence of the President
    Talks with President Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson
    Joint press conference
  • Marshall House
    Visit to the studio of artist Ólafur Elíasson
    Thereafter
    Luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir
  • Thereafter, parliament building
    Talks with Steingrímur Sigfússon, Speaker of Althingi (Icelandic parliament)
  • Government guest house
    Talks with Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir
  • Thereafter
    Speech at the opening of a photo exhibition about the arrival of German women on the Esja (campaign from 1949 to attract female German agricultural workers to Iceland)
    Thereafter
    Talks with German women
  • Harpa Concert Hall
    Speech at a state banquet hosted by the President of Iceland

Thursday, 13 June

  • Visit to a geothermal power plant
    Thereafter
    Visit to the LAVA centre
    Thereafter
    Guided tour of the Sólheimajökull glacier
  • Transfer to Vestmannaeyjar
    Thereafter
    Tour of a seawater combined heat and power plant
    Thereafter
    Visit to VSV fishery
  • Visit to a girls’ football tournament
    Tour of Eldfell volcano
    Thereafter
    Reception at Eldheimar Volcano Museum of Remembrance
    Thereafter
    Flight to Reykjavik
  • Delegation hotel
    Reception hosted by Herbert Beck, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

Friday, 14 June

  • Flight to Berlin

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