Össur Skarphéðinsson
Össur Skarphéðinsson (pronounced [ˈœsːʏr ˈskar̥pçɛðɪnsɔn]; born 19 June 1953) is an Icelandic politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from February 2009 to May 2013.
Össur Skarphéðinsson | |
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| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1 February 2009 – 23 May 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir |
| Preceded by | Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir |
| Succeeded by | Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson |
| Minister for Industry, Energy and Tourism | |
| In office 24 May 2007 – 10 May 2009 | |
| Prime Minister | Geir Haarde Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir |
| Preceded by | Jón Sigurðsson (as Minister of Industry and Commerce) |
| Succeeded by | Katrín Júlíusdóttir |
| Nordic Cooperation | |
| In office 24 May 2007 – 10 June 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Geir Haarde |
| Minister for the Environment | |
| In office 1993–1995 | |
| Prime Minister | Davíð Oddsson |
| Succeeded by | Guðmundur Bjarnason |
| Member of the Althing | |
| In office 1991–2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 June 1953 Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Political party | Social Democratic Alliance |
| Spouse | Árný Erla Sveinbjörnsdóttir |
| Children | Two daughters (b. 1994, 1998) |
| Alma mater | University of Iceland University of East Anglia |
| Profession | biologist, journalist |
Össur matriculated from the Reykjavík Grammar School in 1973, and gained a BS in biology from the University of Iceland in 1979, and a doctorate from the University of East Anglia in 1983 entitled "The effect of photoperiod on the growth of the rainbow trout".[1] He was a member of the parliament (Althing) for the Reykjavík Constituency from 1991 to 2003, and for Reykjavík North Constituency from 2003 to 2016. He was Chairman of the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group from 1991 to 1993, Minister for the Environment from 1993 to 1995, and Chairman of the Social Democratic Alliance from 2000 to 2005.[1]
Össur was appointed Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism for the Social Democratic Alliance in May 2007. He was also Minister for Nordic Cooperation from 24 May 2007 to 10 June 2008.[1] In February 2009, he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.