EU, Iceland to begin talks on security and defense pact

The EU and Iceland have announced negotiations on a Security and Defense Partnership Agreement, aimed at deepening cooperation and giving Iceland access to the EU's €150 billion SAFE programme for joint defence procurement.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the deal would bring Iceland into the EU’s wider defence network, alongside Norway, the UK and Canada.

At a joint press conference in Brussels, von der Leyen also cited growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic as a reason to review the EU’s Arctic strategy.

Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said the talks should conclude by the end of 2025 and would strengthen cooperation on cyber, hybrid threats and critical infrastructure.

Frostadottir clarified that Iceland’s planned referendum by 2027 is only about resuming EU accession talks, not about joining the bloc itself.

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