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TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 17-1017
 

DEFENSE
 

Cooperation
 

Agreement Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and ICELAND 

Effected by Exchange of Notes at 

Reykjavik October 13 and 17, 2017 

with 

Attachments 

and 

Minutes 
 

 

 

NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)— 

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ICELAND 

Defense: Cooperation 

Agreement effected by exchange of notes 

at Reykjavik October 13 and 17, 2017; 

Entered into force October 17, 2017. 

With attachments and minutes. 
No. 37-2017 

The Embassy ofthe United States ofAmerica presents its compliments to 

the Ministry for Foreign Affairs ofthe Republic ofIceland and has the honor to 

refer to the Agreement Between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Regarding 

the Status oftheir Forces, done at London June 19, 1951 (the "NATO SOFA"), the 

Defense Agreement Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty Between the United 

States of America and the Republic ofIceland, done at Reykjavik May 5, 1951, 

with annexes and schedules, as amended by the Amendment to the Defense 

Agreement Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty Between the United States of 

America and the Republic ofIceland ofMay 5, 1951, done at Washington and 

Reykjavik on September 27 and September 29, 2006, respectively (together the 

"Defense Agreement"), and to the Joint Declaration Between the Department of 

Defense ofthe United States ofAmerica and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of 

Iceland signed by the Deputy Secretary ofDefense ofthe United States of 

America and the Minister for Foreign Affairs oflceland on June 28 and 29, 2016 

("Joint Declaration"). 

Recognizing that Article 1 ofthe General Annex to the Defense Agreement 

provides for "access to airfields, ports, and other places within Iceland and the 

adjacent water and air spaces as is agreed to by [the United States ofAmerica and 

the Republic oflceland] at any given time to be required by the military situation 

for the defense of Iceland, for the defense ofthe North Atlantic Treaty area, or for 

other purposes as may be agreed to by [the United States of America and the 

Republic of Iceland]," and further recognizing the spirit ofthe commitments made 

in the Joint Declaration, the Embassy has the honor to propose the following 

Agreement, including the provisions pertaining to "Operating Locations," between 

the Government ofthe United States of America (the ·~united States") and the 

DIPLOMATlC NOTE 
Government ofthe Republic oflceland ("lee land"), hereinafter collectively 

referred to as "the Parties" and individually as a "Party": 

I. 	Definitions: 

a. 	 "United States Forces," for the purposes ofthis Agreement, shall 

be defined as in Article I of the Annex on the Status ofUnited 

States Personnel and Property to the Defense Agreement. 

b. "United States Property" shall be defined as all equipment, official 

information, munitions, and other materiel ofthe United States 

Forces present in the Republic ofIceland, including all 

prepositioned materiel ofthe United States that may be present in 

the territory ofIceland irrespective ofthe presence of United States 

Forces. 

c. 	"Contractors" shall be defined as companies and firms, and their 

employees, under contract or subcontract with or in support ofthe 

U.S. Department ofDefense present in the territory ofIceland. 

d. 	"Operating Locations" shall be defined as those facilities and 

locations in the territory ofIceland listed in Attachment A to this 

Agreement, and such other facilities and locations in the territory 

ofIceland as may be mutually determined between the Parties or 

their designees. 
2. 	 United States Forces, United States Property, Contractors, contractor 

property necessary to the performance of contracts supporting United 

States Forces, and others as mutually determined are authorized 

unimpeded access to and use of Operating Locations. 

3. 	 Operating Locations may be designated, wholly or partly, for exclusive 

use by United States Forces as mutually determined. When not so 

designated, Operating Locations shall be for joint use by the Parties and 

others as mutually determined. 

4. 	 Iceland shall make available to the United States, without any costs, all 

Operating Locations and shalJ make all arrangements required to permit 

unimpeded entry upon and use ofOperating Locations without 

compensation by the United States to Iceland or any national ofIceland 

or other person for such entry or use. 

5. 	 The Parties shall cooperate on planning regarding the use and 

development around and adjacent to Operating Locations to ensure the 

implementation ofthis Agreement over the long term. 

6. 	 All buildings, non-relocatable structures, and assemblies affixed to the 

land in Operating Locations, including those altered or improved by 

United States Forces, shall remain the property oflceland. Additionally, 

all buildings, non-relocatable structures, and assembJies constructed by 

United States Forces shall become the property oflceland, once 

constructed, but shall be used by United States Forces until no longer 

needed by the United States Forces. 
7. 	 United States Forces shall return as the sole and unencumbered property 

oflceiand any Operating Location, or any portion thereof, including 

buildings, non-relocatable structures, and assemblies constructed by 

United States Forces once no longer needed by the United States Forces, 

provided that the United States shall incur no expense to do so. 

8. 	 While such Operating Locations are not being used for defense 

purposes, necessary maintenance work shall be performed by Iceland, or 

Iceland shall authorize its performance by the United States. 

9. 	 In making Operating Locations available, and in the use ofsuch 

Operating Locations, the Parties shall give due regard to operational and 

security concerns. Iceland retains primary responsibility for security 

outside of Operating Locations. Icelandic authorities shall take such 

measures as are necessary to ensure the protection, safety, and security 

ofUnited States Forces, United States Property, and Contractors. United 

States Forces shall be permitted to exercise all rights and authorities that 

are necessary for the use, operation, defense, or control of Operating 

Locations, including the right to take appropriate measures to ensure 

discipline and to protect United States Forces, United States Property, 

and Contractors. Icelandic authorities and United States Forces shall 

cooperate closely to ensure that such security, safety, and protection are 

provided. 

Io. United States Forces shall be authorized to install or locate United States 

Property at Operating Locations, and at such other locations as mutually 
determined. AIJ such locations, or portions thereof designated for 

storage of such United States Property shall be for the exclusive use of 

United States Forces, which shall retain exclusive control over the 

access to, use of, and disposition ofsuch United States Property and 

shall have the unencumbered right to remove such items at any time 

from the territory of Iceland. 

11. United States Forces and Contractors may undertake construction 

activities on, and make alterations and improvements to, Operating 

Locations. Iceland shall facilitate United States Forces' efforts in these 

undertakings by obtaining the necessary Icelandic authorizations and 

permits for such construction, alterations, and improvements. 

Authorizations and permits necessary to commence construction shall be 

issued without cost to United States Forces or Contractors. When 

security or other operational requirements dictate, United States Forces 

may carry out construction works with members ofUnited States Forces. 

12. With full respect for the sovereignty and laws ofthe Republic oflceland, 

and except as provided in paragraph 19, infra, the U.S. Department of 

Defense's contracts for goods and services (including construction 

services) to be performed wholly in the territory of Iceland shall be 

awarded on the basis of full and open competition among Icelandic and 

United States contractors, unless otherwise mutually determined or 

unless necessary to satisfy security or other operational requirements of 

the United States, such as the construction of a sensitive communication 

facility. Contracts shall be solicited, awarded, and administered in 
accordance with U.S. laws and regulations. United States Forces shall 

strive to use Icelandic contractors to the maximum extent practicable. 

13. Understanding that nothing in this Agreement is prejudicial to the 

exemptions provided to Contractors under the Defense Agreement or 

otherwise provided for in this Agreement, Contractors shall be subject to 

Icelandic law regarding the performance of the contract. 

14. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Government of Iceland shall 

cooperate regarding contracts to be performed wholly within the 

territory of Iceland through a Joint Committee ("JC") composed of 

representatives from the United States and Iceland. Regarding 

construction, alterations, and improvements undertaken in Iceland by, or 

on behalf of, the U.S. Department ofDefense, the members ofthe JC 

shall coordinate, according to mutually determined procedures, on the 

technical requirements and construction standards to be implemented 

with the intent that such projects should be consistent with the 

requirements and standards of both the United States and Iceland as 

required. 

15. The obligations ofthe Parties under this Agreement shall be subject to 

the availability of funds appropriated for such purposes. 

16. Any disputes about the interpretation or application ofthis Agreement 

shall be resolved solely by consultations, which are to take place at the 

lowest competent level of authority, and shall not be referred to any 

national or international court, tribunal, or other similar body, or to any 
third party for settlement. 

17. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual written consent 

ofthe Parties. The Parties or their designees may designate additional, 

or modify existing, Operating Locations under Attachment A to this 

Agreement by mutual written consent. 

18. This Agreement may be terminated by either Party on twelve (12) 

months' written notice to the other Party. 

19. Upon entry into force, this Agreement shall supersede the Agreement 

Between the Government ofthe United States ofAmerica and the 

Government oflceland Regarding Procurement Procedures, effected by 

exchange ofnotes at Reykjavik June 24 and 25, 1986 (the "1986 

Contracting Agreement"), and the Agreement Between the Government 

ofthe United States and the Government oflceland in Connection with 

U.S. Department ofDefense Contracting Performed Wholly Within 

Iceland, signed at Keflavik May 23, 2001. Notwithstanding this or any 

other provision governing relations between the Parties, the terms ofthe 

1986 Contracting Agreement (Attachment B) shall continue to apply at 

the Agreed Area ofGrindavik, as ifthe 1986 Contracting Agreement 

had remained in force. Nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted to 

nullify or terminate any contracts in existence on the date this 

Agreement enters into force. 

Ifthe foregoing proposals are acceptable to the Government ofthe Republic 

ofIceland, the Embassy has the honor to propose further that this note, together 

with the Ministry's affirmative reply note thereto, shall constitute an agreement 
between the two Governments, which shall enter into force on the date of the 

Ministry's reply note. 

The Embassy ofthe United States ofAmerica avails itself ofthis occasion to 

renew to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs ofthe Republic ofIceland the assurances 

of its highest consideration. 

Embassy of the United States ofAmerica, 


Reykjavik, October 13, 2017. 


Attachment A: Designated Operating Locations 

Attachment B: 1986 Contracting Agreement 
Attachment A 


Operating Locations 


(designated by white boxes) 


1. Keflavik Air Base 
US Diplomatic Note No. 24 of 24 June 1986 and 


GOI Diplomatic Note of 25 June 1986 


US Dlplomatfc Note No. 24 


The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the 

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iceland and has the honor to refer to the 

Agreement between the Unites States of America and Iceland relating to the defense of 

Iceland pursuant to the North Attantic Treaty (hereafter "Agreement"). signed at 

Reykjavik on May 5, 1951, and to recent discussions between the representatives of the 

Governments of the United States and Iceland concerning that Agreement The 

Embassy has the further honor to refer to Section 2723 (C)(4) of the United States 

Public Law No. 98-396 (1984) which provides an exception to the use of competitive 

procurement procedures by the U.S. Department of Defense where the terms of an 

international agreement have the effect of requiring the use of such other procedures. 

In the discussions referred to above, the representatives acknowledged the 

practice generally followed by the United States Department of Defense, in accordance 

with the spirit of the Agreement and relevant annexes thereto, of utilizing contractors 

approved by the government of Iceland for services procured in Iceland and to be 

performed completely there. A similar practice has on previous occasions been 

reflected in arrangements relating to the procurement by the U.S. Government of 

specific construction services in Iceland. The representatives of the two Governments 

further noted the importance of continuing to procure such local services in Iceland in a 

manner designed to fulfill force requirements efficiently and to take due account of focal 

economic conditions. 

In order to ensure that those services procured in and to be performed 

completely in Iceland continue to be procured there in a manner acceptable to both 

Governments and consistent with Icelandic and U.S. laws and prevailJng practice that 

has developed in connection with relevant international agreements, the Embassy has 

the further honor to propose that both Governments agree to the following 

understandings. The U.S. Department of Defense will continue to award contracts in 

Iceland for services to be performed there only to contractors approved by the 

Government of Iceland. The Government of Iceland will identify contractors approved 

for such utilization. 

The Embassy has the honor to propose that ifthe understandings set forth in this 

note are acceptable to the Government of Iceland, this note and the Ministry's reply 

confirming such acceptance shall constitute an Agreement between both Governments 

which shall enter into force on the date of the Ministry's reply. This Agreement may be 

terminated by either party upon 60 days• written notice. 

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to 

renew to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs the assurances of its highest consideration. 

Embassy of the United States of America, Reykjavik, June 24, 1986 

Page 1of3 
GOI Diplomatic Note of 25 June 1986 

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the 

United States of America and has the honor to refer to the Embassy's Note No.24, 

dated 24 June, 1986, which reads as follows: 

"The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the 

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iceland and has the honor to refer to the 

Agreement between the United States of America and Iceland relating to the defense of 

Iceland pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty (hereafter "Agreement"), signed at 

Reykjavik on May 5, 1951, and to recent discussions between the representatives of the 

Governments of the United States and Iceland concerning that Agreement. The 

Embassy has the further honor to refer to Section 2723 (C)(4) of United States Public 

Law No. 98-396 (1984) which provides an exception to the use of competitive 

procurement procedures by the U.S. Department of Defense where the terms of an 

international agreement have the effect of requiring the use of such other procedures. 

In the discussions referred to above, the representative~ acknowledged the 

practice generally followed by the United States Department of Defense, in accordance 

with the spirit of the Agreement and relevant annexes thereto, of utilizing contractors 

approved by the government of Iceland for services procured in Iceland and to be 

performed completely there. A similar practice has on previous occasions been 

reflected in arrangements relating to the procurement by the U.S. Government of 

specific construction services in Iceland. The representatives of the two Governments 

further noted the importance of continuing to procure such local services in Iceland in a 

manner designed to fulfill force requirements efficiently and to take due account of local 

economic conditions. 

In order to ensure that those services procured in and tc be performed 

completely in Iceland continue to be procured there in a manner acceptable to both 

Governments and consistent with Icelandic and U.S. laws and t)revailing practice that 

has developed in connection with relevant international agreelT'ents, the Embassy has 

the further honor to propose that both Governments agree to tt.e following 

understandings. The U.S. Department of Defense will continue to award contracts in 

Iceland for services to be performed there only to contractors approved by the 

Government of Iceland. The Government of Iceland will identif:t contractors approved 

for such utilization. 

The Embassy has the honor to propose that if the under standings set forth in this 

note are acceptable to the Government of Iceland, this note an1 the Ministry's reply 

confirming such acceptance shall constitute an Agreement between both Governments 

which shall enter into force on the date of the Ministry's reply. This Agreement may be 

terminated by either party upon 60 days' written notice. 

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to 

renew to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs the assurances of its highest consideration." 

Page 2 of3 
The Ministry wishes to inform the Embassy that the Gov£mment of Iceland 

concurs with the understandings set forth in the Embassy's Note. It furthermore agrees 

that the Note and this reply shall constitUte an Agreement between the two 

Governments, with effect from the date of this reply note. 

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportlmity to renew to the 

Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its '.1ighest consideration. 

Reykjavik 25 June, 1986 

Ministry for Foreign Affairs 

Page 3 of 3 
MINISTRY FOR 


FOREIGN AFFAIRS 


R.auOararstigur 25, I 05 Reykjavik, Iceland 

Tel: 354-545 9900, fax: 354-562 2373 

extemal@utn.stjr.is, www.mfa.is 

Ref.: UTNl 7030179177.0.001 

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland presents its compliments to the Embassy 

of the United States of America and has the honour to refer to the latter's Note No. 37-2017, 

dated 13 October, 2017, which reads as follows. 

,,The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry for 

Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iceland and has the honor to refer to the Agreement 

Between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Regarding the Status oftheir Forces, done at 

London June 19, 1951 (the .. NATO SOFA"), the Defense Agreement Pursuant to the North 

Atlantic Treaty Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iceland, done at 

Reykjavik May 5, 1951, with annexes and schedules, as amended by the Amendment to the 

Defense Agreement Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty Between the United States of 

America and the Republic oflceland of May 5, 1951, done at Washington and Reykjavik on 

September 27 and September 29, 2006, respectively (together the ..Defense Agreement"), and 

to the Joint Declaration Between the Department of Defense of the United States ofAmerica 

and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland signed by the Deputy Secretary of Defense of 

the United States ofAmerica and the Minister for Foreign Affairs ofIceland on June 28 and 

29, 2016 ("Joint Declaration"). 

Recognizing that Article l ofthe General Annex to the Defense Agreement provides 

for "access to airfields, ports, and other places within Iceland and the adjacent water and air 

spaces as is agreed to by (the United States of America and the Republic of Iceland] at any 

given time to be required by the military situation for the defense of Iceland, for the defense 

of the North Atlantic Treaty area, or for other purposes as may be agreed to by [the United 

States of America and the Republic of Iceland]," and further recognizing the spirit of the 

commitments made in the Joint Declaration, the Embassy has the honor to propose the 

following Agreement, including the provisions pertaining to "Operating Locations." between 

the Government ofthe United States ofAmerica (the "United States") and the Government of 

the Republic of Iceland ("Iceland"), hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Parties" and 

individually as a "Party'': 
1. 	 Definitions: 

a. 	 "United States Forces," for the purposes of this Agreement, shall be 

defined as in Article 1 of the Annex on the Status of United States 

Personnel and Property to the Defense Agreement. 

b. 	 "United States Property" shall be defined as all equipment, official 

information, munitions, and other materiel of the United States Forces 

present in the Republic of Iceland, including all prepositioned materiel of 

the United States that may be present in the territory of Iceland irrespective 

of the presence of United States Forces. 

c. 	 "Contractors" shall be defined as companies and firms, and their 

employees, under contract or subcontract with or in support of the U.S. 

Department ofDefense present in the territory oflceland. 

d. 	 "Operating Locations" shall be defined as those facilities and locations in 

the territory of Iceland listed in Attachment A to this Agreement, and such 

other facilities and locations in the territory of Iceland as may be mutually 

determined between the Parties or their designees. 

2. 	 United States Forces, United States Property, Contractors, contractor property 

necessary to the performance of contracts supporting United States Forces, and 

others as mutually determined are authorized unimpeded access to and use of 

Operating Locations. 

3. 	 Operating Locations may be designated, wholly or partly, for exclusive use by 

United States Forces as mutually determined. When not so designated, Operating 

Locations shall be for joint use by the Parties and others as mutually determined. 

4. 	 Iceland shall make available to the United States, without any costs, all Operating 

Locations and shall make all arrangements required to permit unimpeded entry 

upon and use of Operating Locations without compensation by the United States 

to Iceland or any national of Iceland or other person for such entry or use. 

5. 	 The Parties shall cooperate on planning regarding the use and development 

around and adjacent to Operating Locations to ensure the implementation of this 

Agreement over the long tenn. 

6. 	 All buildings, non-relocatable structures, and assemblies affixed to the land in 

Operating Locations, including those altered or improved by United States 

Forces, shall remain the property of Iceland. Additionally, all buildings, 

non-relocatable structures, and assemblies constructed by United States Forces 

shall become the property of Iceland, once constructed, but shall be used by 

United States Forces until no longer needed by the United States Forces. 

7. 	 United States Forces shall return as the sole and unencumbered property of 

Iceland any Operating Location, or any portion thereof, including buildings, 

non-relocatable structures, and assemblies constructed by United States Forces 

once no longer needed by the United States Forces, provided that the United 
States shall incur no expense to do so. 

8. 	 While such Operating Locations are not being used for defense purposes, 

necessary maintenance work shall be performed by Iceland, or Iceland shall 

authorize its performance by the United States. 

9. 	 In making Operating Locations available, and in the use of such Operating 

Locations, the Parties shall give due regard to operational and security concerns. 

Iceland retains primary responsibility for security outside of Operating Locations. 

Icelandic authorities shall take such measures as are necessary to ensure th~ 

protection, safety, and security of United States Forces, United States Property, 

and Contractors. United States Forces shall be permitted to exercise all rights 

and authorities that are necessary for the use, operation, defense, or control of 

Operating Locations, including the right to take appropriate measures to ensure 

discipline and to protect United States Forces, United States Property, and 

Contractors. Icelandic authorities and United States Forces shall cooperate 

closely to ensure that such security, safety, and protection are provided. 

10. United 	States Forces shall be authorized to install or locate United States 

Property at Operating Locations, and at such other locations as mutually 

determined. All such locations, or portions thereof designated for storage of such 

United States Property shall be for the exclusive use of United States Forces, 

which shall retain exclusive control over the access to, use of, and disposition of 

such United States Property and shall have the unencumbered right to remove 

such items at any time from the territory ofIceland. 

11. United States Forces and Contractors may undertake construction activities on, 

and make alterations and improvements to, Operating Locations. Iceland shall 

facilitate United States Forces' efforts in these undertakings by obtaining the 

necessary Icelandic authorizations and permits for such construction, alterations, 

and improvements. Authorizations and permits necessary to commence 

construction shall be issued without cost to United States Forces or Contractors. 

When security or other operational requirements dictate, United States Forces 

may carry out construction works with members ofUnited States Forces. 

12. With full respect for the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Iceland, and 

except as provided in paragraph 19, infra , the U.S. Department of Defense's 

contracts for goods and services (including construction services) to be 

performed wholly in the territory of Iceland shall be awarded on the basis of full 

and open competition among Icelandic and United States contractors, unless 

otherwise mutually determined or unless necessary to satisfy security or other 

operational requirements of the United States, such as the construction of a 

sensitive communication facility. Contracts shall be solicited, awarded, and 

administered in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations. United States Forces 

shall strive to use Icelandic contractors to the maximum extent practicable. 

13. Understanding that nothing in this Agreement is prejudicial to the exemptions 

provided to Contractors under the Defense Agreement or otherwise provided for 

in this Agreement, Contractors shall be subject to Icelandic law regarding the 
performance ofthe contract. 

14. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Government of Iceland shall cooperate 

regarding contracts to be performed wholly within the territory of Iceland through 

a Joint Committee ("JC") composed of representatives from the United States 

and Iceland. Regarding construction, alterations, and improvements undertaken in 

Iceland by, or on behalf of, the U.S. Department of Defonse, the members of the 

JC shall coordinate, according to mutually determined procedures, on the 

technical requirements and construction standards to be implemented with the 

intent that such projects should be consistent with the requirements and standards 

ofboth the United States and Iceland as required. 

15. The obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall be subject to the 

availability offunds appropriated for such purposes. 

16. Any disputes about the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be 

resolved solely by consultations, which are to take place at the lowest competent 

level of authority, and shall not be referred to any national or international court, 

tribunal, or other similar body, or to any third party for settlement. 

17. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual written consent of the 

Parties. The Parties or their designees may designate additional, or modify 

existing, Operating Locations under Attachment A to this Agreement by mutual 

written consent. 

18. This Agreement may 	be terminated by either Party on twelve (12) months' 

written notice to the other Party. 

19. Upon entry into force, this Agreement shall supersede the Agreement Between 

the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Iceland 

Regarding Procurement Procedures, effected by exchange of notes at Reykjavik 

June 24 and 25, 1986 (the ··1986 Contracting Agreement"). and the Agreement 

Between the Government of the United States and the Government of Iceland in 

Connection with U.S. Department of Defense Contracting Performed Wholly 

Within Iceland, signed at Keflavik May 23, 2001. Notwithstanding this or any 

other provision governing relations between the Parties, the terms of the 1986 

Contracting Agreement (Attachment B) shall continue to apply at the Agreed 

Area of Grindavik, as ifthe I 986 Contracting Agreement had remained in force. 

Nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted to nullify or terminate any contracts 

in existence on the date this Agreement enters into force. 

If the foregoing proposals are acceptable to the Government of the Republic of 

Iceland, the Embassy has the honor to propose further that this note, together with the 

Ministry's affirmative reply note thereto, shall constitute an agreement between the two 

Governments, which shall enter into force on the date ofthe Ministry's reply note. 

The Embassy of the United States ofAmerica avails itself ofthis opportunity to renew 

to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iceland the assurances of its highest 

consideration." 
The Ministry wishes to inform the Embassy that the Government of Iceland concurs 

with the understandings set forth in the Embassy's Note. It furthermore agrees that the Note 

and this reply shall constitute an Agreement between the two Governments, with effect from 

the date of this reply note. 

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland avails itself ofthis opportunity to renew to 

the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. 

Ministry for Foreign Affairs 

Reykjavik, 17 October 2017 

Embassy ofthe United States of America 

REYKJAVIK 
MINUTES TO THE AGREEMENT 


BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND 


THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ICELAND CONCERNING ACCESS 


AND USE OF OPERATING LOCATIONS WITHIN ICELAND. EFFECTED BY 


EXCHANGE.QF NOTES AT REYKJAVIK, 


OCTOBER J2and OCTOBER r1... 2017 


In connection with the discussions regarding the Agreement Between the United 

States ofAmerica and the Republic ofIceland Concerning Access and Use of O~rating 

Locationstihin Iceland, effected by exchange of notes at Reykjavik October·\~ and 

October 2017 (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement'}, the PartieSYO the 

Agreement. recognizing the commitment enshrined in the Agreement, including in 

Article 14, to coordinate closely, further intend that the representatives of the Joint 

Committee ("JC") are to decide on Terms of Reference for the JC in accordance with 

the following guidance: 

I. 	The representatives ofthe JC are to coordinate closely to ensure smooth and 

efficient implementation ofthe Agreement. including resolution ofany issues 

related to access, security, safety, contracting, administrative, or logistical 

matters. 

2. 	 Non-Icelandic Contractors are to utilize the electronic identification provisions 

relevant for conducting business within Iceland, as necessary, in accordance 

with the Agreement and applicable regulations. 

3. 	 All value-added taxation is to be refunded in accordance with the Agreement, 

ensuring the most efficient and timely completion ofsuch refund. 

4. 	 Details for access to the Operating Locations are to"be determined by the JC, in 

accordance with the Agreement. in order to ensure unimpeded access to the 

Operating Locations and to ensure Icelandic authorities are able to maintain 

security and awareness in accordance with the Agreement. 

5. 	 The Icelandic r:epresentatives ofthe JC are to communicate to the U.S. · representatives ofthe JC the pool ofContractors identified as approved by the 

Government ofthe Republic ofIceland that are to be utilized for contracts to be 

wholly executed at the Agreed Area ofGrindavik, in accordance with paragraph 

19 ofthe Agreement. · · 

The Parties to the Agreement conflnn that issues regarding the implementation 

ofthe Agreement are to be resolved within the Joint Committee. 

R~y.".k,t}jct

' 

/l-,2~11 . ~ -~ 

. ..

•

FOR THE GOVE EN'l*OF 	 FO ~GOVERNMENT OF THE

THE REPUBLIC.::0 ICELAND: UN~g~T~TES OFAMERICA: