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Security in the Arctic - the Icelandic Perspective

Security in the Arctic - the Icelandic Perspective. June 2013. The Arctic – A Foreign Policy Priority. Parliament approved an overarching Arctic policy in 2011: Promoting and strengthening the Arctic Council. Securing Iceland’s position as a Coastal State.

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Security in the Arctic - the Icelandic Perspective

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  1. Security in the Arctic- the Icelandic Perspective June 2013

  2. The Arctic – A Foreign Policy Priority Parliament approved an overarching Arctic policy in 2011: • Promoting and strengthening the Arctic Council. • Securing Iceland’s position as a Coastal State. • Resolving differences on the basis of UNCLOS. • Promoting cooperation. • Safeguarding security interest through civilian means. • Avoiding militarisation.

  3. The main security challenges? • Risk of military confrontation low. • Environmental threats as a result of increased economic activities: • Oil spills. • Other kinds of pollution. • Accidents.

  4. How are we addressing those challenges? Through cooperation: • The Arctic Council. • - Evolving as a decision-making body. • - Binding SAR and Oil Spill agreements. • MoUs with Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom and Canada. • Declaration on Arctic cooperation between Iceland and Russia. • Bilateral Defence Agreement and Joint Declaration with the United States. • Membership of NATO. • Northern ChoDs forum.

  5. Capabilities The Icelandic Coast Guard:

  6. New Multipurpose OPV “Þór” • Maritime surveillance. • Environmental response. • Fire fighting. • Search and rescue. • Fisheries control. • Salvage and hydrographic survey.

  7. MPA - Bombardier Dash-8 • Maritime traffic. • Ice and pollution. • Search and rescue. • Volcanic activities.

  8. The Iceland Air Defense System • Four radar stations. • Aerial search. • Host nation capabilities and tasks. • NATO Air Surveillance.

  9. International Cooperation • Cooperation with foreign fleets, coast guards and maritime organisations. • North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum. • Arctic Council SAR Task Force. • Frontex Joint Operations.

  10. Air and Maritime Service Centre • Domestic consultations ongoing. • Options ranging from dormant logistics hub to Centre of Excellence. • Link in a circumpolar network of service centres. • International Conference 2014.

  11. Thank you

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