Sturgeon and Icelandic Prime Minister discuss ‘shared ambitions and challenges’
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has met Iceland’s Prime Minister during her two-day visit to Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon welcomed Katrin Jakobsdottir to Bute House in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with the pair discussing the relationship between the two countries and addressing key issues including Brexit and climate change.
The First Minister and Icelandic Prime Minister will be in attendance at a meeting of the Wellbeing Governments’ group on Wednesday.
Delegates will discuss the importance of economic growth alongside the experiences and living conditions of communities.
FM @NicolaSturgeon has welcomed Icelandic Prime Minister @katrinjak to Bute House in Edinburgh for talks on areas of mutual interest, including gender equality, sustainable tourism and the action required to tackle climate change. https://t.co/mNuJzpPMPmpic.twitter.com/Owwv4WJssK
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) April 30, 2019
Following the meeting on Tuesday, the First Minister said: “It was a pleasure to host the Prime Minister at Bute House.
“Our countries have a long history of friendship, with many historic and cultural ties.
“It was an opportunity to discuss the many areas where we have shared ambitions and challenges, such as our desire to grow sustainable tourism and take action to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change.
“I also set out the Scottish Government’s position on Brexit and our determination that Scotland continues to play a full and active role in Europe.”
She added: “I look forward to working with the Icelandic government in the future on our common goals of promoting fair and equitable societies, where economic growth is matched by improved well-being.
“We will take that forward tomorrow with discussions at the Wellbeing Governments’ group meeting.”
Ms Jakobsdottir said: “Iceland and Scotland enjoy a long-standing relationship.
“I am delighted that we are now collaborating on the Wellbeing Economy Government project, in which Scotland has demonstrated an important leadership.
“We agree on the urgency of responding to climate change and we are committed to our collaboration on sustainable tourism.
“Scotland has also taken important initiatives in relation to gender based violence, not least image-based abuse and domestic violence, a development which we follow closely.”
