Lucky with the weather on my way to #vestmannaeyjar yesterday. Boats ⛴️ & stormy seas are still not my strong suit.. Climbing the Eldfell volcano 🌋 one gets an idea of the effort required during the 1973 eruption to cool advancing lava and save the #Heimaey harbour from harm.

Happy to exchange on Ukraine, Middle East & Georgia with FM Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir🇮🇸 at the #SchumanForum. The EU and Iceland share values and are aligned on foreign policy. In this difficult geopolitical context, we intend to develop closer dialogue and cooperation on security & defence.

A new volcanic eruption began today on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Authorities successfully evacuated Grindavík town and the Blue Lagoon. The eruption remains localized and does not impact air traffic or daily life in other parts of Iceland. We are closely monitoring the situation.

🧵 Exciting news for Icelandic entrepreneurs! The EIF and Byggðastofnun are teaming up to support small businesses outside the capital region with up to €21 million in new lending under the InvestEU initiative. #InvestEU #SMEs (1/9) Read more ➡️t.ly/jArP8

Warm congratulations to all Icelanders, here and abroad, to the 80th anniversary of the republic. It's a great privilege for any diplomat to be part of the nation's celebrations. Gleðilegan þjóðhátíðardag! 🇮🇸 (proto credit: mbl.is)

As my time in Reykjavík slowly draws to an end, the season of farewells has started. Thank you to Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir🇮🇸 for hosting us yesterday, and for the excellent cooperation which we enjoyed with you and your Ministry throughout my mandate 🇪🇺 🇮🇸

Treading lightly here to avoid stereotyping … but how can this be the smallest ready-made coffee I found in a U.S. supermarket? 😂 (Mind you - that’s probably the right size to get through an average Icelandic winter day )

Enjoy your holidays and remember your rights: as EU citizen travelling outside the EU, in case of emergency you benefit from #ConsularProtection from EU Member States, if your country does not have an Embassy or Consulate at your destination. Learn more europa.eu/!d4KRYb

Enjoying Landsmót hestamanna, a festival for all lovers of the Icelandic horse & one of the biggest outdoors sporting events in Iceland. Wishing all riders - and their 🐎 - success in competitions & an excellent weekend ahead!

A lunch invitation to the Japanese residence is always a treat 🍣! Thank you Ambassador SUZUKI Ryotaro 鈴木亮太郎 for today’s conversation. (We covered a lot of ground: from international relations and local politics to puffins..)

In today’s episode of “Vignettes of a diplomatic life”, my least favorite chapter of all. Wish me luck as I plunge into wrapping paper & cardboard boxes 📦 once again 💪. A special shout out to the partners and families who bear with us so that we can do the job we love

Congratulations to Ursula von der Leyen on her confirmation as President of the European Commission for the upcoming five years. Steady hands are important to navigate through complex times. The EU and Iceland are closely aligned and share a strong commitment to democracy and freedom, as well

At the occasion of her inauguration, sincere wishes to the new President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir Halla Tomasdottir. Looking forward to continued strong partnership between 🇪🇺 and 🇮🇸

Í tilefni Hinsegin daga skrifaði sendiherra ESB á Íslandi Ambassador Lucie Samcová grein um mikilvægi þess að standa vörð um mannréttindi og halda áfram jafnréttisbaráttunni🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Greinin birtist í Morgunblaðinu í dag og má lesa hana hér að neðan🗞️

A pre-breakfast outdoor swim (paired with a poolside chat with strangers about weather & politics) is among the many things I’ll miss about Iceland 🇮🇸. Curious to hear from Icelandic friends : what do you miss the most when travelling / living abroad?

Happy #Pride, Reykjavik! This year, the EU in Iceland ESB á Íslandi / EU in Iceland - together with Germany, France, Finland and Sweden - supports sign language interpretation and accessibility ramp to make sure the event can be enjoyed by as many as possible.

One final drive to Bessastaðir for a farewell audience with Office of the President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir. We spoke about “Iceland of the future”, fostering dialogue in societies, and the power of young people in public life. Thank you for the warm welcome, President.

After four years, it was time for a retrospective. I spoke to Bjorn Malmquist from RÚV about the past, present and the future of the EEA agreement, and about the highlights of my stay in Iceland 🇮🇸 . As the photo suggests - there are many happy memories !