Published 31-08-2012
On 1 September 2012, Kristinn F. Árnason of Iceland will take up his duties as Secretary-General of the European Free Trade Association. Mr Árnason has a long experience in EFTA affairs, having been Iceland’s Permanent Representative to EFTA, the WTO and other international organisations in Geneva since 2005 as well as serving earlier as Deputy Permanent Representative to the Geneva organisations from 1987 to 1992. He was Ambassador to Norway from 1999 to 2003 and has held several other posts in the Icelandic Foreign Service, including that of Director of External Trade (1994-1998) and Chief negotiator on fisheries issues (1992-1994).
After six years at the helm of the Association, Mr Árnason’s predecessor, Mr Kåre Bryn of Norway, steps down on 31 August. Ms Bergdís Ellertsdóttir of Iceland, Deputy Secretary-General in Brussels since 2007 leaves her post at the same time. At their meeting in Gstaad, Switzerland, on 28 June, the EFTA Ministers thanked them for their excellent service to the organisation and its members. Mr Ivo Kaufmann of Switzerland will continue as Deputy Secretary-General in the Geneva office.
Mr Árnason’s CV is available here.
Click here to download a high-resolution version of the photo.
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