Johanna Sigurdardottir, Prime Minister of Iceland, yesterday met with European leaders in Brussels. Read the full story

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland, gave a keynote speech on the future of the Arctic at a conference in Brussels yesterday. Read the full story

A new stage has begun in Iceland’s accession process to the European Union when the official review process began in Brussels today. Read the full story

The Icelandic application to join the European Union is expected to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers today in Brussels, Belgium. People in support as well as those against Iceland joining the European Union are all anxious to find out the results of the meeting. Read the full story

Johanna Sigurdardottir, Iceland’s Prime Minister and leader of the  Icelandic Social Democrats issued the following statement on the decision of the Parliament to start European Union accession negotiations for membership. Read the full story

Today the Icelandic Parliament has voted  “yes” to start official negotiations to apply for European Union membership. The votes were close, 33 were for, 28 were against, and 2 withdrew. Iceland will submit an application formally in Brussels on 27 July. It is expected to take around 2 years until the nation will vote whether to join the EU after membership negotiations have been discussed. Read the full story

Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, vice chairman of Iceland’s euro-sceptic ruling party, said in an interview with the Norwegian newspaper Klassekampen that Icelanders have no other choice in the financial crisis than to enter the European Union. Read the full story

Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir, Icelandic Foreign Minister, says she is hopeful the negotiations currently underway in Brussels to work out a satisfactory settlement with the British and Dutch governments over Icesave compensation can be completed tonight or tomorrow, MBL.is reports. Read the full story

Representatives from Icelandic local governments will be present at a European Union conference on regions and cities, MBL.is reports. This will be the first time that Iceland is formally represented at such a conference.

The main events surrounding the EU Regions and Cities Open Days will take place in Brussels from 6 to 9 October.

The local government unions of West Iceland, the West Fjords and North Iceland will be among those contributing to the Open Days, which are now being held for the sixth time.

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Brussels will play host to some innovative and intriguing Icelandic art and culture tomorrow when the ‘Iceland on the Edge’ festival opens at the Centre for Fine Arts.

The festival will bring Icelandic music and photography, multimedia installations and a sample of the vibrant cultural life that exists on the small Nordic island of just 300,000 inhabitants.

The 20 events which will take place over the course of the festival are organised into four themes: Pure Energy, Independent People, Bad Taste and Sagas.

While the slogan ‘Pure Energy’ is usually used to advertise the city of Reykjavik to tourists, this event will explore the relationship between culture and nature, showcasing some of the breathtaking scenery that is found in Iceland.

Those looking for modern Icelandic music and art should visit the ‘Bad Taste’ events. The name derives from a local record label and represents the more lively and experimental tastes in music and art.

While the ‘Independent People’ events are focused on the strong-willed people of Iceland today, the Sagas focus more on the rich literary history of the country.

Popular artists who performed at the Iceland Airwaves music festival last summer, Mum, Kira Kira, Skakkamanage and Parachutes, will travel to Brussels to perform at the festival on March 8th.

The festival will continue until the middle of June. For more information visit http://www.bozar.be/activity.php?id=7552