Full House at the Seminar "European Security and Defence in a Changing World"

The event "European Security and Defence in a Changing World" drew in a large number of guests on Thursday 3 April 2025 with some 120 people attending the seminar in person which was held at Veröld - House of Vigdís, University of Iceland. 

The event was made accessibly online through some of Iceland's most popular online news outlets (mbl.is ; visir.is; heimildin.is; and dv.is) and nearly 500 people watched the seminar via streaming. 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Pawel Bartoszek, MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Althingi, emphasised the need for Iceland to strengthen its defences, primarily the Icelandic Coast Guard, Civil Protection/Search and Rescue capabilities, Police Force, and intelligence services. Mr. Bartoszek also spoke about the need to protect Iceland's critical infrastructure and to form closer ties with the European Union. 

As we delve into these discussions today, let us remember that security is a collective responsibility. Iceland’s security is intertwined with the security of Europe, North America and the Arctic region. We are seeing an unprecedented interest in the debate about security and defence here in Iceland. As a final note. 

The problem with public debate about these issues is the same as whenever we talk about potentially rare but catastrophic events. You either sound crazy, or you’re too late. - Pawel Bartoszek, MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee at Alþingi. 

Mr. Bartoszek's full speech is accessible HERE. 

In his video key-note speech entitled "New Perspectives in EU Security and Defence", Mr. Maciej Stadejek, Director of Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service, gave an overview of the EU's reaction to the major developments in the field of common European security and defence since Russia's illegal annexation of Crime in 2014, followed by it's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

Director Stadejek spoke about the EU's efforts to make the Union a stronger and a credible security and defence actor. As an example, Director Stadejek mentioned the "Strategic Compass" which has proved to be instrumental in guiding the EU's response. The Director underlined the fact that the EU and its Member States have acted with unprecedented speed and scope, providing over 135 billion EUR in financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee assistance to Ukraine. More than any other international partner. The Director also mentioned the EU's efforts to strengthen the EU's Defence Technological and Industrial Base, ramping up ammunition production, maritime security, and its hybrid toolbox. 

Together with the REARM Europe initiative, the White Paper on European Defence Readiness 2030 responds to the urgency and the magnitude of the threat we are facing. We proposed several funding mechanisms that should provide up to 800 billion EUR for investment in the defence domain.

A dedicated instrument (SAFE) should allow Member States, together with partner countries such as Iceland, to borrow for up to 150 billion EUR and invest in critical capabilities. - Maciej Stadejek, Director of Security and Defence Policy at the EEAS

Furthermore, Director Stadejek emphasised that Europe is not alone. 

The Strategic Partnership between the EU and NATO is vital for Euro-Atlantic security. For the majority of EU Member States, NATO is the bedrock of their collective defence. [...] Over the past year alone we established new structured dialogues providing us with a framework to deepen cooperation on space, emerging and disruptive technologies, climate and defence, cyber, defence industry. - Maciej Stadejek

Director Stadejek's speech can be viewed through the video-recording of the event. 

Two panel discussions took place during the event:

Panel on "European Security and Defence: the Role of EU and NATO" moderated by Dr. Magnús Á. S. Magnússon and included the following participants: 

• Jean-Pierre Van Aubel, Expert on Defence Policy and Strategy / Strategic Compass at the EEAS.
• Lucyna Golc-Kozak, Deputy Director of the Security Policy Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Poland.
• Erlingur Erlingsson, Military Historian and former Icelandic Diplomat
• Jónas G. Allansson, Director-General for Defence and Security, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland. 

Panel on "Security Issues in North Atlantic and the Arctic Focusing on EU-NATO Complementarity" moderated by Rakel Þorbergsdóttir and included: 

• Erik Vilstrup Lorenzen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Iceland
• Claude Véron-Réville, EU Special Envoy for Arctic Matters at the EEAS
• Bergdís Ellertsdóttir, Senior Arctic Official, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
• Roy Nordfonn, Lieutenant Colonel (NOR-A), NATO Attaché to Iceland, Joint Force Command Brunssum (NATO). 

Watch the full event here: