Iceland and Finland to Strengthen Defense Cooperation
The Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and the Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation in Helsinki. The countries' presidents, Halla Tómasdóttir and Alexander Stubb, were present at the signing ceremony. (Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland)
On Tuesday, Iceland and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. "This agreement underscores Iceland's increased emphasis on regional and bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries and central allies," says the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs.
These days, Iceland's President Halla Tómasdóttir (independent) and her husband are on a state visit to Finland.
In connection with this visit, the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (Liberal Reform Party), and the Finnish Minister of Defense, Antti Häkkänen (National Coalition Party), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation on Tuesday.
The objective of closer bilateral cooperation is to strengthen both countries' defense capabilities and regional security, as well as to bolster NATO's deterrence and defense.
Stronger defense ties between Iceland and Finland also advance the goals of Nordic defense cooperation within NORDEFCO, states the Finnish Ministry of Defense, pointing out that Finland has now entered into similar memorandums of understanding with all Nordic countries.
“Iceland is an important ally for Finland. We both have Arctic expertise that can benefit the Alliance as a whole. Finland has already participated in the NATO Icelandic Air Policing mission, and our closer bilateral and multilateral cooperation will strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defense,” says Häkkänen.
Intertwined interests
"The MoU is part of strengthening Iceland's defense cooperation with Finland, an important ally and friend. Our interests are closely intertwined. Our cooperation is close within the framework of NATO and Nordic cooperation, including NORDEFCO and Nordic-Baltic cooperation," Gunnarsdóttir points out and continues:
"This declaration underscores Iceland's increased emphasis on regional and bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries and key allies. This is not least about supporting and strengthening Iceland's main pillars of defense and security cooperation, namely its membership in NATO and the defense agreement with the United States."
More about the MoU
In the MoU, Iceland and Finland emphasize that they face shared security challenges as Nordic and Arctic states.
The countries will increase their dialogue on defense-related issues, share information and expertise, and develop their cooperation in several areas.
The areas of cooperation may include host nation support, military mobility, strategic surveillance, situational awareness, communication and information systems (including space-based defense capabilities), and air surveillance and air defense. Joint efforts against hybrid threats in the field of defense and cyber defense are other examples.
The two countries also seek to identify new areas for cooperation around capabilities, technology, and defense solutions.
