Commissioner Simson in Iceland to boost energy cooperation

This week, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, will be in Reykjavík to strengthen energy relations with Iceland. Under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, the country's energy policy and legislation are closely aligned to the EU's. The EU and Iceland share the goal of pursuing a green economy and fulfilling the objectives of the Paris Agreement. 

In the next two days, the Commissioner will be meeting with national decisions-makers including the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, the Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, as well as the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate, Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson. 

Tomorrow, Commissioner Simson will participate in the Arctic Circle Assembly, where she will deliver a keynote speech and speak in a session dedicated to the Arctic and the EU's energy security. In the margins of the Assembly, she will also have a bilateral meeting with the Special Envoy for Climate Change of China, Liu Zhenmin. 

On Friday, the Commissioner will be visiting 2 sites highlighting Iceland's efforts to curb emissions: the Hellisheiðarvirkjun geothermal power plant and the Carbfix carbon capture plant.