Trading relations in fact date back to the days of the Hanseatic League – and are still strong today. Take tourism, for instance: about two million Germans visit Iceland every year, making them the third largest group of tourists. "Iceland’s membership of the Schengen Area has proved to be a major advantage in this context," stressed Chancellor Angel Merkel.

In spite of the difference in size, trade is very intensive between the two countries. "Iceland’s membership of the European Economic Area is a very important factor in this context." Germany and Iceland are also NATO allies in the field of security policy.

It is encouraging to see that Iceland has now recovered from the serious financial and economic crisis which hit the country hard.

Shared values – similar challenges

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir stressed that Germany and Iceland share the same values, including respect for liberty, democracy and human rights. Currently both countries are facing similar challenges in the field of migration and refugee policy.

Gender equality has been one of the main issues in Icelandic politics over recent years, reported Katrín Jakobsdóttir. And the progress can be seen – in many ways, Iceland is one of the countries that has taken the path of genuine gender equality. Even primary school children learn what equality means.

2019 will see the 70th anniversary of the arrival of German women in Iceland. The fact that German women were the largest immigrant group to arrive in Iceland has been somewhat forgotten.

Katrín Jakobsdóttir has been Prime Minister of Iceland since November 2017. From February 2009 to May 2013 she was Minister of Education, Science and Culture. Since February 2013 she has been Chair of the Left-Green Movement. She is visiting Berlin to mark the 100th anniversary of Icelandic sovereignty. Following her meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, she attended a conference on gender issues and equality.