While the qualifying match between Luxembourg and Iceland for the European Football Championship on Friday may have caused some friendly competition between the two nations, both are determined to cooperate and deepen their relationship - specifically in two areas where they find shared values: higher education and film.
Both Luxembourg and Iceland aim for a Europe that is strong, green, secure, competitive, and one which is based on human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law. In short, values that are ‘not a given’ in some countries, stressed Jakobsdóttir: “We see a decline of democracy and human rights around the world. It is very important to address these issues.”
This was the first visit of an Icelandic PM since 2008, which was important not only for the Icelandic community in Luxembourg, but also for the nearly forty Luxembourgers that live on the isolated island. PM Bettel highlighted the important role that airline Icelandair once played for Luxembourgers, given that it once served as the primary means of travel to the United States.
Iceland’s PM stayed only briefly in Luxembourg, as the new parliamentary season required her presence back home. Before leaving, she did, however, meet with the Icelandic football team to wish them the best of luck ahead of Friday’s game.
