EU and Iceland Strengthen Security and Defense Cooperation

On Wednesday, the EU-Iceland security and defense partnership was signed by Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy, and Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 “The EU and Iceland are very close friends. Our security is shared, and so are the challenges we face. From Russian threats to seabed infrastructure to China’s growing interest in the Arctic, addressing these together gives us greater leverage,” said Kallas at a joint press briefing.

“This new partnership will deepen our cooperation in areas that matter to the safety of our citizens, such as maritime security and the protection of critical infrastructure. This is a win-win for the EU and Iceland,” Kallas underlined.

Regarding the Arctic and the North Atlantic in particular, the parties will enhance their collaboration with a focus on i.a. situational awareness, contributions to a rule-based order in the region, as well as the strengthening of resilience and civil preparedness.

The partnership declaration also places emphasis on support for Ukraine and encompasses a wide range of areas of cooperation, including cyber issues, disruptive technologies and economic security.

In transition

“We are now building up a very valuable relationship. While the EEA Agreement continues to provide the foundation of our cooperation, the world is changing rapidly and we must face these changes,” stated Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir (Liberal Reform Party).

She believes the EU has stepped up to meet today's security challenges.

“The Union's policies are increasingly shaped by a security agenda, and more of its resources are devoted to bolstering the security and resilience of our continent.”

Reinforces several ties

Gunnarsdóttir also outlines Iceland's navigation in the new landscape:

“As the Euro-Atlantic area now faces rising threats and an unpredictable security environment, Iceland is taking concrete steps to deepen bilateral cooperation with key allies and partners. We have most recently expanded our cooperation with Germany and Finland, which complements already established partnerships with other Nordic countries, Canada and the United Kingdom.”

“The EU is also a natural and important partner for Iceland, given, among other things, its strong focus on countering hybrid threats, its leading role in cybersecurity and its efforts to protect critical infrastructure. This is of great significance.”

At the same time, the NATO membership and bilateral defense agreement with the US remain two main pillars of Icelandic defense, reads a press release from the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EU referendum

The future may offer even closer relations between Reykjavík and EU bodies in Brussels.

The Icelandic government has proposed a referendum on August 29th 2026 on whether the country should resume negotiations on EU membership.

This was naturally also a central topic for Gunnarsdóttir's meeting with Kallas and other members of the EU Commission in the Belgian capital.

“I am confident that the partnership that we have now signed will strengthen our mutual security and further deepen the relationship between Iceland and the European Union. The answer today has been ‘yes’, and I hope that the answer in late August will be the same,” said the Icelandic foreign minister.

“Should Icelanders choose to pursue EU membership, Iceland would certainly be a front runner in this process. You are strong on your own and joining the EU will make you even stronger,” stated Kallas.