BRUSSELS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) and Iceland signed a security and defense partnership here on Wednesday, vowing to deepen defense cooperation in areas including support for Ukraine, Arctic matters and maritime security.
In a statement, the European External Action Service said that this important milestone for the EU and Iceland brings an impulse to their already deep relations, underpinned by the European Economic Area Agreement, in the current volatile security context.
The statement also said the partnership provides a framework of cooperation in areas including support for Ukraine, Arctic matters and maritime security, cyber issues, emerging and disruptive technologies, economic security, and the climate change and security nexus.
It added the two sides will strengthen information exchange through a series of dialogue and consultation mechanisms, including an annual security and defense dialogue.
Iceland's security and defense rely mainly on its NATO membership and a bilateral defense agreement signed with the United States in 1951. However, recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump on Greenland have raised concern among Nordic countries, including Iceland, over security and stability in the Arctic region. ■
