The President of Tynwald has represented the Isle of Man at an event in Iceland.

Steve Rodan MLC attended the Union Treaty centenary celebrations of the Althing - the parliament of the country. 

The Union Treaty between Iceland and Denmark saw Iceland become a sovereign state and was signed by representatives of the Althing and the Folketing, the Danish Parliament, on July 18th 1918. 

The centenary of its signing was commemorated on July 18th this year with a celebratory session of the Althing at Thingvellir - Iceland’s ancient parliamentary site.  

Mr Rodan 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 - was watched by many hundreds.

"Addressed by the President of Iceland and the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, guests assembled at the foot of a mound at the end of a long processional way, reminding me of Tynwald Day at St John’s and our common Norse origins.

"It was interesting to meet Iceland officials who had been to Tynwald Day in years past.  

"I also had the opportunity to meet all the Speakers from Nordic countries and various foreign ambassadors as it is important that the Isle of Man forge new links of its own post- Brexit."