Iceland PM open to more allied troops, says permanent presence unnecessary

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir is open to an increased troop presence in Iceland as part of NATO’s defence arrangements, mbl.is reported Saturday.

She told Bloomberg that Iceland does not need to restore a permanent presence of US forces. A rotational presence by troops from allied countries would be enough to ensure security amid international political uncertainty, she said, responding to a question about whether the military base in Keflavík could again host US troops.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Iceland last month and indicated he wanted to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, including on defence. Frostadóttir said Iceland would continue to consider further agreements and closer cooperation with the United States.

Iceland has had “stable cooperation” with the US in recent years, she said, but President Donald Trump’s efforts to gain control over Greenland had been difficult for Iceland. One positive outcome, she said, was increased attention to the Arctic. An agreement signed by the United States, Greenland and Denmark showed that developments were under way in investment as well as security, she added.