30 March 1949

"Anyone who has control over Iceland wields a gun aimed at England, America, and Canada," said Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Britain, as he paraphrased words of one of his generals regarding the military significance of Iceland during the Second World War. Ever since, Iceland's geographical location has held a fundamental position in the defence strategies of Western nations.

Guaranteed freedom and security has long been a fundamental part of our well-being. Thus, it was a forward-thinking step taken by the Icelandic authorities on 30 March 1949 when it was decided that Iceland would become a founding member of the Atlantic Alliance. By doing so, Iceland joined the group of 12 founding nations of the alliance. As a defenceless nation could not protect itself, the Atlantic Alliance requested Iceland and the United States to make arrangements between themselves with the defence agreement in 1951. At that time, the nation's defencelessness was seen as a threat to its own security and that of its peaceful neighbours, as stated in the agreement. The affirmation of the authorities at that time ensured the establishment here in the country to fulfill defensive roles and thereby maintain peace and security in the region.

In light of the peaceful reality that we in Iceland have lived with in recent years, discussions concerning defence matters have been minimal. It can be said that, overnight, the reality of European nations has changed with Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The war there is a cold reminder that the social order we experience here in the Western hemisphere of the globe is not a given. Democracy, freedom, and human rights are not automatic. It is essential to guard these values and protect them against irresponsibility and those who care little for them.

The war of aggression in Europe underscores the importance of defence matters and reaffirms now, as always, the significance of actively participating in security and defence cooperation among Western democratic nations. I am proud to have stood at the helm as Foreign Minister when the first national security strategy of the country was approved by the Alþingi of Icelanders on 13 April 2016. It outlines the key priorities intended to ensure the independence, sovereignty, and inviolability of Iceland's borders, the safety of citizens, and the protection of governance and the fundamental structures of society. A new national security council was then established to assess the situation and monitor security and defence matters on a regular basis and oversee the implementation of the national security strategy.

In the years that have passed since the establishment of the Atlantic Alliance, its activities and Iceland's participation have undergone significant changes. It reflects the ever-changing reality we live in and must adapt to at any given time – whether concerning Cold War, terrorism, cybersecurity, or Russian threats. Regular events underline the importance of being vigilant regarding defence matters. We must always stand ready and actively participate with our allied nations in safeguarding the social order that we know. Despite Iceland being small, our contribution is of great significance in this context – just as Winston Churchill rightly pointed out here years ago.

Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Culture and Business Affairs and Deputy Chair of the Progressive Party.

The article was first published in Morgunblaðið on 30 March 2022.