Iceland, Faroes and Greenland agree to regular leaders’ summits

Leaders of Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland plan to hold regular summits, with the meetings rotating among the three countries, mbl.is reported.

The agreement was announced after a tripartite consultation meeting in Reykjavík between Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, Faroese Prime Minister Beinir Johannesen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Frostadóttir said it was the first time the leaders had met in this format in one of the three countries. Their parliaments have long cooperated through the West Nordic Council, and the leaders have spoken regularly, but they have now decided to make summits a recurring event. It was also Nielsen and Johannesen’s first visit to Iceland since taking office.

The leaders discussed foreign and security policy, changes in the Arctic, economic affairs, tariffs and trade, as well as ways to expand cooperation. Frostadóttir said the countries shared characteristics including their geographical position, isolation, cultural ties and small populations, making close cooperation and frequent dialogue important.

She said the countries should shape the narrative about developments in the North Atlantic and Arctic themselves. Johannesen said the three neighbours shared values and many challenges, and that cooperation could create significant opportunities despite their small populations.

The leaders also met international investors focused on opportunities in the West Nordic region and the Arctic. They discussed cooperation on investment and financing for larger projects, including the possibility of a joint investment platform for the North Atlantic or Arctic.

They also discussed Greenland’s position and its relations with the United States. Nielsen said an agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the United States was good for Greenland, NATO and Europe. He said it respected Greenlanders’ right to self-determination and the sovereignty of all parties while taking regional security needs into account.

Asked about the Faroe Islands and Greenland seeking full membership in the Nordic Council, Johannesen and Nielsen thanked Iceland for supporting their position. The leaders also visited a security area at Keflavík Airport and flew over volcanic eruption sites on the Reykjanes Peninsula.