Iceland can strengthen ties with both the US and Europe

Iceland does not have to choose between closer ties with Europe and stronger relations with the United States, the author argues in a submitted opinion article published by Morgunblaðið. Responsible governments should pursue several priorities at once and maintain relationships with multiple partners, the article says.

The author says this either-or approach has featured prominently in recent statements by the Centre Party and the Independence Party. The government is accused of neglecting the United States when it seeks closer cooperation with Europe, or of changing direction when it strengthens ties across the Atlantic.

Last Tuesday, the author writes, they welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Höfði. The two discussed defence and security, Arctic affairs, trade and investment, as well as ways to strengthen relations between the countries. The visit showed that Iceland’s relationship with the United States remains strong, the article says.

Hours later, the author spoke in parliament in support of Protocol 35 to the European Economic Area Agreement. The measure concerns protecting the rights of individuals and businesses under the agreement and fulfilling commitments Iceland made more than 30 years ago.

There is no contradiction between those priorities, the author argues. A small country’s foreign policy should expand its options and strengthen the foundations of Iceland’s interests and security.

The article also points to recent calls by the Independence Party’s leadership for Iceland to seek a free trade agreement with the United States. During his visit, Rubio said the US government believed the era of traditional free trade agreements would be over for the foreseeable future, and preferred to discuss other kinds of bilateral trade deals. The article says this position had already come up in discussions between the countries.

Iceland should pursue every trade opportunity with the United States and find workable ways to advance those ties, the author writes, while also recognising what is actually on offer.

The same principle applies to the EEA Agreement, the article says. Independence Party leader Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir has called it a cornerstone of Iceland’s foreign and economic policy, a description the author supports. The author questions why the party has not clearly stated how it would approach Protocol 35, which concerns meeting Iceland’s obligations under the agreement and protecting the rights it grants to people and businesses.

After ESA decided to bring a case against Iceland over implementation, the party leader did not say whether the party would vote for or against the bill, the article says. Declaring support for cooperation is not enough, the author argues; it also brings responsibilities when those commitments are tested.