Celebrated on the anniversary of Japanese emperor

Keizo Takewaka, the new Japanese ambassador to Iceland, invited an equalization last Friday on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Naruhito Japanese emperor. He became ambassador at the turn of the year, but he handed over to President Halla Tómasdóttir his confidential letter on January 8.

The ambassador recalled in his speech that Iceland and Japan had adopted a political relationship in 1956. The states should have in common that many volcanoes and powerful fisheries.

« We admire the Icelanders for being at the forefront in many areas, » he said, mentioning gender equality, geothermal energy and the well -attended Arctic roundboard.

Interconnected security

Then the ambassador testified in the speech of Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the Munich Security Conference these days. On that occasion, the minister has emphasized that security issues in Europe and the Atlantic on the one hand and in the Pacific region on the other were closely related and that there would be no distinguished between them. « We stand together, » said the ambassador.

He also expressed satisfaction with Iceland's participation in the Osaka World Exhibition, which begins on April 13, and urged Icelanders to learn about the benefits of investing in Japan, which was a big market with a great opportunity.

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland, was next spoke, but it should be noted that Þórdís Kolbrún Gylfadóttir Reykfjörður then the Minister of Finance addressed the meeting last year and posted them from the changed worldview.

Has contributed a lot of

Olafur Ragnar said a special honor to address the meeting.

« I also want to use the opportunity to invite my old friend, the ambassador, to Iceland. He was the Arctic Ambassador to Japan and not only took an active part in the Northern Circular Circuit seminars here in Iceland, but also played a very important part in the great success that was achieved on the Japan ring table a few years ago, citing the growing participation of Asian countries in the Arctic.

It is valuable to us Icelanders, not least now that the Arctic is moving on my world chess table, to have such an experienced diplomat in the Arctic as a Japanese representative in our country. It is in many ways remarkable how Japan has shown active interest in the Arctic. I am not sure that everyone who gathered here realized how important two of Japan's recent foreign ministers have played in the Arctic, « said Olafur Ragnar.

A memorable visit

Then it would be interesting to note that the Japanese emperor had drawn attention to this unique part of the world.

« It is especially reminiscent of the first few weeks after I became president in 1996 that Prince Takamado and Princess Takamado came to Iceland on their way to Greenland, as they wanted to see with their own eyes this remarkable and large land of glaciers and ice, which then, for almost 30 years, was of the world, even in Europe, Emperor families, made their way there, « said Olafur Ragnar.

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and Dagur B. Eggertsson discussed the world affairs after the end of the speeches.

mbl.is/baldur

It would have been precisely on this occasion that he began to consider the great importance of Greenland, our next neighbor, in the Arctic. Now the Arctic and Greenland would have gained a new place on the chessboard of the world.