Security and Defence Affairs

1. Security and Defence Affairs Screening Iceland Chapter 31, Foreign, Security and Defence Affairs – Bilateral Brussels, 20 May 2011

2. Department for Security and Defence Main tasks: Membership of NATO Defence Cooperation with the US Cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior regarding securityand defence related activities in Iceland International defence cooperation Security and Defence dialogue with neighbouring countries in co-operation with the Ministry of the Interior and the Prime Minister’s Office Political dialogue with the EU on CSDP Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO)

3. Milestones and Recent Changes in Iceland’s Defence Environment 1949: ISL founding member of NATO 1951: US-ISL defence Agreement 1991: First Northern Viking Exercise 2006: Departure of the US forces from Iceland, September 2007: Iceland assumes full responsibility for defence installations, including NATO infrastructure. An interdisciplinary Commission for a Risk Assessment for Iceland established, October 2008: Defence Act enacted by Althingi, April 2008: Expanded role of the Radar Agency – Transformed to Iceland’s Defence Agency (IDA) 2009: Risk Assessment for Iceland published, March 2010: Amendments to the Defence Act, June 2011: IDA closed down as of 1 January 2011 and its tasks allocated to other government agencies 2011: Motion for drafting a National Security Policy, submitted to Parliament in April

4. Main Emphases in Iceland’s Security and Defence policy Government Coalition Platform of the Social Democratic Alliance and Left-Green Movement, May 2009: Human rights and gender equality, peace and disarmament and combating poverty, social injustice, inequality and famine, for instance, with focused foreign aid. Iceland's contribution to international peacekeeping efforts will be primarily in the area of reconciliation, development of civil institutions, gender equality and humanitarian aid. Risk Assessment for Iceland: Global, Societal, and Military Factors Published in March 2009 Transnational threats and increased linkage between internal and external security of states No direct military threats from other states or alliances in the short- or medium term Main emphases: Cyber threats Human trafficking Migration and integration of immigrants Maritime safety Energy security • International financial security • Environmental threats, natural disasters and climate change • International Terrorism • Weapons of Mass Destruction • Organized crime

5. NATO Founding member Permanent Mission of Iceland to NATO Main focus NAC, Military Committee, EAPC, NRC, NUC, NGC Icelandic Representative to SHAPE (Since 2006) Participation in NATO-missions Afghanistan (ISAF) NATO infrastructure Host country responsibility Icelandic Air Defence Systems (IADS) NATO Air Surveillance in Iceland Alliance Decision July 2007 Ensuring the maintenance of air sovereignty Familiarity of Iceland’s environment within the Alliance

6. Defence Act: Primary Defence Tasks • The Defence Act defines the Icelandic Authorities’ responsibilities on defence matters, that are: • Operation of the Icelandic Air Defence System (IADS) • Operation and maintenance of NATO infrastructure • Exercises (Northern Viking) • Host Nation support for NATO Air Surveillance Deployments • National Security Authority • Intelligence

7. Evolution of IADS Integration 7

8. Evolution of IADS Integration 8

9. Evolution of IADS Integration 9

10. Primary Tasks of the IADS • Interception support • Control tactical support • Dissemination and management of tracks • Air defence of Iceland and NATO • Exercises 10

11. Air Surveillance • Based on Air Surveillance and Interception Capabilities Regime for Iceland adopted by the North Atlantic Council in July 2007 as NATO Military Committee Memorandum • Calls for 3-4 Periodic deployments a year by Allied Air Forces, for a duration of 3-6 weeks • 2010 Deployment: Denmark 03, Germany 06, US 09 • 2011 Deployment: Canada 04, Norway 06, US 09 • A few intercepts every year during LRAs Strategic Bombers visits 11

12. Northern Viking • Conducted biannually since the early 1990s • 2011 NV is taking place in June • Primarily an air defence exercise but includes naval elements as well as civilian security matters • Participants • ISL, USA, NOR, DEN, ITA and NATO • Up to 28 aircrafts, of which 23 are fighters • Up to 4 naval vessels • More than 400 pax 12

13. Northern Challenge 2010 • NATO supported EOD exercise • 10th exercise • 6 nations participated • DEN, NOR, FRA, GER, NED, AUT • Supervisors from BEL and RUS 13

14. Defence Cooperation with the US 1951: Bilateral Defence Agreement based on the North Atlantic Treaty 2006: Joint Understanding between the two countries Political dialogue Regular security consultations Responsibility for defence installations Cooperation with civilian institutions Exercises, training activities, personnel exchanges Programs re. law enforcement and border security cooperation to deter and defend against threats posed to both countries by international terrorism Bilateral and/or multilateral exercises annually on Icelandic territory and in its territorial airspace and waters

15. Security Cooperation with Neighbouring Countries Initiated after the departure of the US Forces Aims to enhance security in Iceland’s vicinity and in the High North Politicalco-operation with 6 countries: Norway Denmark UK Canada Dialogue with Germany and France Peacetime cooperation Emphasis on information exchange, cooperation in search and rescue, and re. exercises and training

16. Nordic Cooperation NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation) Aims to strengthen the Participants’ national defence, explore common synergies and facilitate efficient common solutions Co-operation in training and peace support operations Procurement Political dialogue and development of assignments Stoltenberg-Report on Nordic Cooperation in Foreign and Security Policy Declaration of Solidarity: Natural and man-made disasters, cyber attacks and terrorist attacks

17. Current Arrangement • Political responsibility for defence matters remains with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs as well as the relationship with NATO and nations on defence issues • IADS, Air Surveillance and Exercises Coast Guard • NSA and Security Matters National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police • External Intelligence Reporting with National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police

18. The Next Steps • Shaping of a new national security policy – new Parliamentary resolution • Iceland is a country without a military • Changed security environment and internal security infrastructure • New definitions of key threats and challenges • Changing international cooperation in the field of security and defence • Cooperation with neighbouring countries • NATO and a new Strategic Concept • Cooperation with the EU • Recent developments within Nordic cooperation • Shaping of long term policy on Internal Security and Civil Defence incl. new threats relating to terrorism, organized crime, critical infrastructure protection and National Crisis Management • Further developing of MOUs re. politicalsecurity cooperation with neighbouring countries • Emphasis on enhancing security in the High North • Arctic Council, SAR-Agreement

19. Iceland and CSDP/CFSP • Iceland fully supports the efforts of the European Union to strengthen its role as a cohesive force in international relations and its ability to promote European interests and values on the international scene • Good co-operation with the EU in crisis management operations • Similar emphasis in the European Security Strategy as in Iceland’s Risk Assessement from March 2009

20. Iceland and CSDP/CFSP • As can be derived from the available information and the explanatory notes that accompany the Lisbon Treaty it is left to the discretion of a Member State, within its own framework and in accordance with the Treaties, whether and to what extent the country chooses to take part in common foreign and security co-operation. In the spirit of mutual solidarity, the Member State concerned shall refrain from any action likely to conflict with or impede such Union co- operation. Other Member States shall respect its position. Upon possible EU accession the same would apply to Iceland

21. Chapter 31 – CSDP/CFSP The following issues are highlighted prior to the negotiations: • Iceland will remain a peaceful country without a military • Iceland will not establish military conscription • Within the framework of the Treaties the specific character of Iceland’s security and defence policy will not be prejudiced and thus Iceland will maintain its unconditional autonomy in its security and defence affairs • Iceland will choose not to participate in the European Defence Agency as participation is optional according to the Treaties • Engagement of Iceland in ATHENA, taking into account its status as a country without a military

22. Ministry for Foreign Affairs http://www.mfa.is EU Application Website http://europe.mfa.is/