REYKJAVIK, July 2 -- Ossur Skarphedinsson, Icelandic MP and former foreign minister, suggests direct flights should be taken up between China and Iceland.

"This would be a great progress for Icelandic airlines - and Icelandic tourism, " Skarphedinsson wrote in an article for Tuesday's edition of Reykjavik-based daily newspaper Frettabladid when talking about the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and Iceland which came into force on Tuesday.

He wishes to make Iceland a centre for Chinese tourists and businessmen who want to travel to Europe and North-America.

Icelandic companies have great opportunities in China as a result of the FTA, he said.

Describing the FTA as a historic progress, Skarphedinsson pointed out that Iceland is the first country in Europe with a FTA with China.

Skarphedinsson believed Icelandic companies would get acceptable prices for Icelandic lamb meat in China. He also believed China would be interested in importing Icelandic cheese, especially the popular Icelandic national dish skyr. Skyr traces its history back to the Viking times.

"The free trade agreement is a bargain for the export industries in Iceland, especially the fishing industry. It now has access to a market with 400 million consumers with good purchasing power," Skarphedinsson said.

Skarphedinsson believed the FTA with China is the most important agreement Iceland has made for 20 years. "We have to use the head start it gives - and use it fast," he said.

Ossur Skarphedinsson was foreign minister of Iceland when talks about free trade agreement took place between China and Iceland. He signed the FTA on behalf of Iceland in April 2013.