EU, Iceland to launch security, defense partnership talks

​​​​​​​By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir announced negotiations Thursday on a Security and Defense Partnership Agreement.

"I'm very pleased also that we are launching the talks of the negotiations for the Security and Defense Agreement. And like you, I'm sure we will be done in a few weeks or months. This partnership will bring Iceland into the Europe Security and Defense Network," von der Leyen said at a Speaking at a joint news conference.

She noted the Europe Security and Defense Network already includes Norway, the UK and Canada, and the agreement would give Iceland access to the EU's €150 billion (€173 billion) SAFE program for joint defense procurement.

Addressing Arctic developments, von der Leyen highlighted growing Russian and Chinese activities in the region and announced a review of the EU's Arctic strategy in response to emerging challenges.

Regarding Iceland's current coalition government plan to hold a referendum on resuming EU accession talks by 2027, von der Leyen said: "The Icelandic people have to decide on how close we want to be and how to move forward. I think it is important to recall that Iceland's application to European membership is still valid."

Frostadottir confirmed Reykjavik's plan to finalize defense partnership talks by the year’s end and emphasized the deal's importance to boosting cooperation on critical infrastructure, cyber and hybrid threats.

"The referendum is not now on joining the EU. It's whether we go for these talks again. This is going to take up some oxygen in our system, but we think it's well worth it," she said.