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REYKJAVIK - The Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD, is in Iceland today for talks on the country’s EU accession negotiations. During her visit the Minister will convey the message that the European Union remains committed to the negotiations and discussions will focus on how the Irish Presidency can best support the process up to and after elections which are scheduled for April.

Speaking in Reykjavik the Minister said: “I am delighted to be visiting for a second time, this time as EU Presidency. This is part of a planned programme of visits to all the candidate countries. Good progress has been made on the negotiations with Iceland, and I commend the work of all involved, Iceland, the Commission, and the Cypriot Presidency. Work will continue on the accession process under the Irish Presidency and we look forward to renewed vigour in the process after the elections have taken place. We hope to open and close some negotiation Chapters towards the end of Ireland’s EU Presidency in June.”

Last night Minister Creighton held extensive talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson. Today she will meet the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Icelandic Parliament and Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson, leader of the opposition Independence Party.