The British and Dutch authorities are ready to continue negotiation of a payment solution with Iceland to the Icesave issue which still rumbles on.
According to Reuters, Icelandic and Dutch finance ministers Steingrimur J. Sigfusson and Jan Kees de Jager spoke late last week. Their joint conclusion was that Iceland should take the next step in the process by preparing a counter offer to the one it rejected at the beginning of this month.
Reuters also quoted a Dutch Finance Ministry worker saying that it is clear the Dutch and British are waiting for Iceland to make a repayment offer aimed at ensuring the best financial outcome for all three nations. When that offer arrives, it will be possible to start official talks once again, the source said.
The Icesave dispute was discussed at the Dutch parliament yesterday, during which Minister of Finance Jan Kees de Jager indicated that the next step was in the hands of Iceland. Other parliamentarians called for blocking Iceland’s loan from the IMF.
Iceland waits to hear next Icesave step
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010Icelandic government representatives are already in London and ready to attend talks on the issue, RUV reports. However, it was also reported that the Dutch government did not make itself entirely clear in its communication intended as a courteous and constructive rejection of the Dutch and British Icesave counter offer.
Jan Kees de Jager is the new Dutch Finance Minister since he was appointed yesterday as part of The Netherlands’ temporary government. He told media he is not well enough informed about Icesave to make any formal comments yet.
De Jager took over the role of Finance Minister yesterday afternoon after it was decided to hold new elections in June and have a caretaker government in the meantime. Although he was previously Vice Finance Minister, de Jager told reporters he has not yet been personally involved in the Icesave issue.
Tags: Caretaker Government, Dutch Government, Elections, Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, Formal Comments, Government Representatives, Holland, Iceland, Icesave, Jager, Kees, London, Netherlands, Rejection, Yesterday Afternoon
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »