In a visit underscoring Europe’s growing strategic interest in the Arctic, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Iceland this week to reinforce ties with one of the EU’s closest northern partners. Meeting with Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, von der Leyen focused on strengthening cooperation in security, defence, and infrastructure resilience in the increasingly contested Arctic region.

The visit comes amid heightened global competition in the Arctic, driven by climate change, resource competition, and rising military tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the United States’ renewed rhetoric about Greenland. Von der Leyen and Frostadóttir met at Iceland’s strategically located Keflavík security zone to discuss a joint EU-Iceland security and defence declaration, which officials expect to conclude by year’s end.

“Iceland and the EU already have good cooperation in most of these areas, but the cooperation declaration will further strengthen the cooperation and put it into more concrete terms,” Frostadóttir said.

Focus on Northern Security and Infrastructure Protection

Talks emphasized maritime security, the protection of critical undersea cables essential for Iceland’s global connectivity, and cooperation on satellite communication initiatives to reduce reliance on vulnerable infrastructure. Iceland is seeking to participate in the EU’s secure satellite communications projects to ensure uninterrupted access to secure, cost-effective global communications.

“This collaborative project is extremely urgent for us Icelanders, who are committed to ensuring the security of our submarine cables,” Frostadóttir said. “If they are disrupted, it is essential for the functioning of the national economy to ensure permanent access to fast, secure and cost-effective satellite communications worldwide.”

The EU has already concluded similar defence agreements with other close partners, including Canada and Norway. Frostadóttir said Iceland’s alignment with EU defence efforts is part of bolstering its role within the Atlantic Alliance and NATO.

Von der Leyen also toured Iceland’s highlands alongside civil protection teams and the Coast Guard, receiving briefings on emergency responses to fires and natural disasters like those on the Reykjanes Peninsula and in Grindavík, which has been repeatedly struck by earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Trade, Fisheries, and Arctic Policy

The visit also marked the launch of a review of Iceland’s trade terms with the EU. Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir stressed the importance of securing more permanent and favorable market access for Iceland’s vital fisheries sector. Iceland currently operates under temporary duty-free quotas with the EU that require periodic renegotiation.

“It is certainly a milestone for us to embark on this review, as we have long been seeking easier market access for marine products to the EU on a permanent basis,” Gunnarsdóttir said.

Additionally, Iceland’s Minister of Industry Hanna Katrín Friðriksson signed a declaration to deepen cooperation on fisheries and marine issues, mirroring Iceland’s agreements with Greenland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands. Talks are ongoing for a possible bilateral fishing rights agreement with the EU.

EU Arctic Policy and Broader Cooperation

Von der Leyen announced a forthcoming review of the EU’s Arctic policy and reaffirmed Brussels’ intent to work closely with Reykjavik on long-term environmental and regional priorities extending beyond 2030. The Arctic remains a focal point of EU interest as it balances environmental concerns with security dynamics and economic opportunities.

“This declaration will increase the visibility of the cooperation and underline that Iceland is among the EU’s closest partners in the field of security and defence,” Frostadóttir emphasized.