Chapter VIII. Foreign affairs
Article 109. Procedure in foreign affairs
Foreign policy and the general representation of the State in the area of foreign policy is the responsibility of a Cabinet Minister under the supervision of the Althing.
Cabinet Ministers are required to provide the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Althing with information on foreign affairs and defence. The Minister shall consult with the Committee before any decision is made on important foreign affairs.
Any decision on support for actions involving the use of armed force, other than those which are obligatory for Iceland under international law, shall be subject to the approval of the Althing.
Article 110. International agreements
International agreements are concluded by a Cabinet Minister on behalf of Iceland. However, a Cabinet Minister can enter into no such agreements if they involve any surrender of, or encumbrance on, land, inland waters, the territorial sea, economic jurisdiction or continental shelf, or require amendment of statutory law, or are important for other reasons, without the approval of the Althing.
Article 111. Transfer of State powers
International agreements involving a transfer of State powers to international organisations of which Iceland is a member in the interests of peace and economic co-operation are permitted. The transfer of State powers shall always be revocable.
The meaning of transfer of State powers under an international agreement shall be further defined by law.
If the Althing approves the ratification of an agreement that involves a transfer of State powers, the decision shall be subjected to a referendum for approval or rejection. The results of such a referendum are binding.
Article 112. Obligations under international agreements
All holders of State powers are required to respect rules on human rights which are binding for the State under international law and ensure their implementation and effectiveness, as may be consistent with their roles according to law and the limits of their powers.
The Althing is empowered to ratify international human rights conventions and environmental conventions, in which case they shall supersede statutory law.
