Ræða utanríkisráðherra á Helsinki Security Forum á þingi Hringborðs norðurslóða - Arctic Circle

Former president of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Admiral Bauer, distinguished guests, dear friends,

In the times we are living, when everything has changed so dramatically – when tanks are rolling across borders and people dying in a bloody, illegal, inhumane war against Ukraine it is difficult to set the stage without a heavy heart.

After the devastating wars of the first half of the twentieth century, the leaders of the world promised: “Never again”. And yet here we are, experiencing the most dangerous times in decades as a consequence of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine and Putin’s reckless threats that undermine regional and global security.  

This has become the immediate concern of us all.

In the broader context of things, the current situation caused by Russia is an emergency that can have catastrophic long-term consequences. While the behaviour of Russia's president remains as volatile and unpredictable it is understandable that today’s discussions about the Arctic are overshadowed and dominated by concerns related to security.

However, we must remain mindful when balancing our focus on short-term and long-term issues, that the Arctic will remain a delicate area that requires extensive international co-operation long after Putin's war has ended.

Looming behind us is the existential threat of climate change. Scientists have warned that the Arctic has warmed at about four times the global average over the last four decades. This is nearly twice as rapidly as commonly described before and will likely accelerate the challenges and climate crisis that we were already fighting against, preparing for, and adapting to.

Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, thawing permafrost, forest fires, threats to biodiversity and to agricultural production. The list goes on. The effects of this will travel way beyond the Arctic, to the Global South and can be expected to return to the High North in a different form. This will have immense social, economic, environmental, and political consequences and dealing with this will require interdisciplinary cooperation.

Dear friends,

We have in fact all been pushed, to reassess and readjust the security architecture in our part of the world, into one that is fit for a renewed purpose, that is functional, safe, and sustainable. And just like architects we need to innovate, adapt our plans, come together with our diverse skillsets, do research, specify requirements, consult, and build partnerships with various actors, also in the private sector, and adapt quickly to a fast-changing security landscape.

All of this with the view of maintaining peace and low tension in the Arctic.

Transatlantic security is the backbone of European security. Iceland is a founding member of NATO and our NATO membership along with the 1951 bilateral Defence Agreement with the United States remain the two main pillars of Iceland's security and defence.

Moreover, the Arctic is a key foreign policy priority for Iceland.

In 2021 the Icelandic parliament passed a resolution on a new Arctic Policy for Iceland. Building on our National Security Policy, Iceland will continue to play its part in contributing to security and defence in the North Atlantic and the High North, with both financial contributions, civilian personnel, and expertise.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Russia’s brutal war on a democratic, sovereign state makes any cooperation with Russia within the Arctic Council impossible. However, the democratic Arctic Council member states must continue their cooperation to the extent possible. 

In addition, Russia’s military build-up in the Arctic over the past decade and half and their current military capabilities and activities are of growing concern. These worries are reflected in NATO’s new Strategic Concept, new Arctic strategies, increased military budgets, adapted posturing and activities, also at the Keflavik Air base.  We also need to be clear eyed about strategic interest of third parties thatseek foothold in the North.

While we all hope and wish for the best, it remains true that hope is not a strategy. As governments we need to prepare our countries as best, we can meet the threats we face. Standing still is not an option. We must move forward and adapt to a new security environment, to new threats stemming from both climate change and state actors.

Finland and Sweden joining NATO will both strengthen the Alliance as a whole and further cement regional cooperation on security and defence. Regional co-operation in various formats, such as the JEF and NORDEFCO, will remain important forums for cooperation when it comes to security and stability in the High North, North Atlantic and Baltic Sea region. Truly like-minded nations with a shared geographic responsibility need to have venues for exchanging information and conducting joint exercises, thus strengthening our ability to effectively respond in the event of crisis.

Iceland will continue to be a steadfast NATO ally and reliable partner, by increasing our contribution and activities within NATO and at home by stepping up our host nation support for NATO and allies’ activities in the North Atlantic,

Further strengthening of partnerships, including within the civilian domains, enhancing information sharing, increasing civil and military coordination and cooperation, is of utmost importance in this regard, not least when it comes to building deterrence and resilience against hybrid threats.

We should also be mindful that this cooperation and capabilities can also play a crucial role in preventing and reacting to major accidents and disasters that may occur in the in the Arctic.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, for the first time in decades I think we truly understand what it is that is worth fighting for – our values - : Freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law. And we must remain united and continue to fight for them. The brave people of Ukraine have reminded us of that. These are the values that the defenders of Ukraine want to secure for their children. And they have done so with courage that is truly inspiring. They have faced evil and are staring it down.

The defenders of Ukraine want to secure a future of freedom for their children.

Only, in a free society, can human creativity flourish.

Indeed, courage, creativity and innovation are exactly what is required if we are to find the transformative solutions that the world so desperately needs to meet today’s challenges and to ensure a stable, peaceful and sustainable Arctic, for the people in the Arctic and around the world. 

Ávarpið var flutt á Helsinki Security Forum á þingi Hringborðs norðurslóða - Arctic Circle