Rubio underscores decades-long U.S., Iceland unity amid rising threats

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at a deeper defense alliance between the United States and Iceland on Tuesday as a means of bolstering Arctic security. Rubio kicked off a multi-NATO nation tour on Tuesday with Icelandic leaders, marking the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Iceland Defense Agreement. The decades-old agreement served as the foundation for the modern U.S.-Iceland security alliance, Rubio wrote in a Tuesday statement.

Both Rubio and Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir emphasized the need for greater Arctic security against Russia. Iceland’s critical location between Europe and the High North made it a key player for security amid growing regional threats, Rubio said. Iceland allowed the U.S. military to use its land, sea, and air since World War II, and evolved into a critical outpost for America and its allies, Rubio said.

NATO leaders were concerned about what was happening in the High North and the Arctic region, especially threats to undersea cables and commercial shipping routes, Rubio said. Those threats must be handled collectively, and Iceland marked a key player in the collaboration, Rubio said. Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir echoed Rubio’s emphasis on unity. Iceland remained focused on the future and hoped to continue building its relationship with the United States, she said.

Where else is Rubio going? Rubio left Iceland on Tuesday and landed in Athens, Greece, later that night. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met Rubio at the airfield ahead of the latest round of Greece-U.S. strategic talks, according to a Tuesday statement from the Grecian Foreign Ministry. Rubio would conclude the trip with a visit to Portugal on Thursday, according to the State Department.