The EU and Iceland sign a defence and security partnership: the focus is on Ukraine and the Arctic

Brussels – The Arctic region is set to become the scene of a new power struggle between global superpowers, and the European Union is trying to carve out its own role. On Wednesday (18 March), the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, officially signed the new security and defence partnership between Brussels and Reykjavik. The aim of the agreement, as stated in the official text, is to “strengthen existing cooperation” between Iceland and the European Union in this sector, with a focus on several specific points.

 The first concerns security in the Arctic region, whose global significance is set to grow steadily, both from an economic and commercial perspective and in terms of the geopolitical balance of power. In words that seem like a not-so-veiled response to the repeated threats directed at Greenland by US President Donald Trump, Iceland and the EU are committed to “intensifying the exchange of information on security aspects of the region to help maintain a stable, rules-based order in the area”. These exchanges will include “monitoring regional developments, climate issues, and cyber and hybrid threats.” 

The second area of cooperation the partnership focuses on is support for Ukraine. The document sets out a commitment to “strengthen cooperation between the two parties to provide long-term support for Ukraine, continue financial assistance and support the country’s reconstruction.” Iceland and the EU also intend to continue cooperating on the issue of sanctions against Russia, with a view to “maximising pressure on those responsible for the aggression.” Finally, the two parties undertake to “work together to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace agreement based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter”. 

Cybersecurity and the fight against hybrid threats are another key focus of the agreement signed, in relation to which the two countries aim to “deepen existing cooperation by exchanging regular information on the landscape of these threats and on the most effective strategies for preventing and responding to hostile activities, whilst also coordinating diplomatic responses to address them”. Finally, at a time of military build-up across Europe, the partnership with Iceland provides an opportunity to promote “greater involvement of the country in EU defence initiatives, such as the
European Defence Industry Programme

and projects developed within the framework of the
SAFE Regulation.” 

The security and defence partnerships are agreements that the EU signs with third countries to “strengthen bilateral cooperation on security matters and promote peace and security worldwide”. In just under two years, Brussels has already concluded ten such agreements: with Moldova, Norway, Japan, South Korea, North Macedonia, and Albania in 2024; with the United Kingdom and Canada in 2025; and with India and Iceland in 2026. 

The agreement between Reykjavik and Brussels comes at a time when the political debate in Iceland over its relationship with the EU appears to have regained momentum. More than ten years after accession negotiations were suspended in 2015, on 6 March, the Prime Minister of the Arctic nation, Kristrún Frostadóttir, announced a referendum to assess a possible resumption of discussions. The vote is scheduled to take place on 29 August.