UAE establishes diplomatic relations with Iceland NEW YORK, SEPT 17, 2003 (WAM)--The UAE today decided to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Iceland on Ambassadorial level effective from today, 17 September 2003. This came in a joint statement signed in New York today by Abdul Aziz bin Nasir Al Shamsi, UAE Permanent Representative to the UN, on behalf of the UAE government and Haglamar Hans, Iceland's Permanent Representative to the UN, on behalf of the government of Iceland. The statement said "establishing relations has come as a result of the common interest of the two countries to strengthen friendship and enhance cooperation." The Republic of Iceland raises the number of countries that the UAE has diplomatic ties to 146 out of the world's 190 countries. WAM/BG 22 05 CCCCQQE