Iceland will not permit any action from its territory that could pose a threat to Greenland, the country’s foreign minister has said, underlining a shared Nordic position on security and sovereignty in the region.
Speaking after a briefing to Alþingi’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir told RÚV that Iceland retains full jurisdiction over decisions taken within its borders and would not authorise activities that could undermine Greenland’s security.
“Just so I’m clear, because you mentioned Greenland. We would never authorize any action from here in Iceland that would threaten Greenland. Just so it’s clear,” she said.
Þorgerður Katrín said the committee meeting had confirmed broad political alignment on protecting Icelandic interests.
She described the discussion with MPs as “important and informative” and welcomed what she called complete consensus on maintaining a vigilant approach to foreign and security policy.
She stressed that Nordic cooperation remains central to Iceland’s outlook, particularly in relation to Greenland.
“Nothing should be done to Greenland without the Greenlanders deciding for themselves,” she said, adding that there is “a very strong consensus among the Nordic countries” on the issue, including Denmark.
Turning to wider defence policy, Þorgerður Katrín said Iceland’s bilateral defence agreement with the United States remains a cornerstone of national security.
“Our cooperation has been very good. It has been characterized by respect and sincerity, and that has not changed,” she said, noting continued collaboration since the US military withdrawal in 2006.
She also highlighted Iceland’s membership of NATO and recent defence agreements with Germany and Finland, alongside ongoing work towards a security arrangement with the European Union.