President of Tynwald Steve Rodan has returned from Reykjavik after representing the Isle of Man at Iceland’s independence celebrations.

Iceland has been celebrating the centenary of the Union Treaty between Iceland and Denmark, which saw Iceland become a sovereign state.

The treaty was signed by representatives of the Icelandic parliament Althing and the Folketing, the Danish Parliament, in 1918.

A special celebratory session was held of the Althing at Thingvellir, Iceland’s ancient parliamentary site.

Mr Rodan was invited to join the celebrations by the Speaker of the Althing, Steingrímur J. Sigfússon.

He said: ’It was an honour to be invited to the centenary celebrations of Iceland ’s independence from Denmark as a sovereign state.

’The special open-air sitting of their parliament, the Althing, took place at Thingvellir - where they first sat over 1000 years ago and which is now a spectacular national park - and was watched by many hundreds.’ Mr Rodan, who was granted leave of absence from last week’s Tynwald sitting to attend, added: ’It was interesting to meet Iceland officials who had been to Tynwald Day in years past.

’Mr Speaker is keen to renew historic links between our two nations with common parliamentary traditions and I hope he will attend Tynwald Day,’ said Mr Rodan.

’As a former finance minister he oversaw Iceland’s economic recovery from the banking crisis and Iceland is now a dynamic and fast-growing economy, with huge recent growth in tourism attracting an impressive two million plus visitors a year.’

Mr Rodan also met parliamentary speakers from the Nordic countries and a number of foreign ambassadors.

Mr Rodan’s accommodation expenses while attending the celebrations were met by the Althing. His travel costs were met by the Clerk of Tynwald’s office.

Nice to meet you: President of Tynwald Steve Rodan presents the Speaker of the Althing, Steingrímur J. Sigfússon, with an illuminated address of greeting on behalf of Tynwald and the people of the Isle of Man