Iceland's Security Co-operation

Iceland and NATO

Iceland is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and most of Iceland's co-operation in the area of security and defence takes place through NATO. Iceland believes that NATO will remain the principle organisation in the European security architecture for years to come.

During the Cold War period, it was principally the country's strategic location that provided the context for Iceland's security and defence policy. In a changed security environment, Iceland is pursuing a more proactive security policy and has sought to intensify its participation in the work of NATO. Increased allocation to peacekeeping is consistent with changing emphasis in transatlantic security and defence following the Cold War, where attention has increasingly been focused on crisis management, humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in conflict areas.

Peace Support and Crisis Management
Participation in peace support and crisis management missions with civilian personnel has been substantially increased during the past decade. Iceland first participated in peacekeeping when two Icelandic policemen went to Palestine in 1950-1951 as part of the United Nations Mission. Icelandic experts have been employed in peacekeeping and peace-building efforts in conflict regions in different parts of the world, under the auspices of the United Nations, NATO, OSCE and the EU.

Today Iceland's participation in peace support and crisis management missions is undertaken by the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (ICRU). In 2005 around 25 personnel were at any given time deployed by the ICRU to UN missions, NATO operations, to the EU and other international organisations for crisis response operations, thereof 16 in Afghanistan.

The largest share of Iceland's contribution to peace keeping operations is through NATO. Since 1994 Icelanders (police officers, medical personnel, media liaisons, engineers and other civilian experts) have been involved in NATO peace support missions in the Balkans, notably in SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, KFOR in Kosovo and selected missions in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

In autumn 2005, Iceland contributed personnel for Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) operating in Northern and Western Afghanistan under the heading of ISAF. In relation to the Alliance's missions, Iceland's additional tasks have been in providing selected strategic airlift sorties in support of the Alliance's operations, which it will continually provide for. Currently, a media expert serves in the NATO Training Mission to Iraq (NTM-I). In 2006, Iceland also contributes a political advisor to the Senior Civilian Representative of NATO to Afghanistan.

In 2003, Iceland took on a lead-nation role at Pristina airport in Kosovo under the KFOR heading, successfully transitioning the airport management over to civilian authorities in Pristina in 2004. From June 2004 until February 2005, Iceland took on similar responsibilities as the focal-point nation at Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan (KAIA), within the command structure of the UN-mandated NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). From early 2006, Iceland again contributes to ISAF forces at KAIA by providing personnel for camp support.

Related to the support to ISAF, as well as to the reconstruction efforts of the Government of Afghanistan, Iceland provides further support to Kabul airport operations. At the request of Afghan authorities, Iceland produced in 2005 a plan for how to transition in three to four years the operation of Kabul International Airport from ISAF to Afghan civilian management. Subsequently, Iceland has provided expert advice and support to the Government of Afghanistan to assist in the implementation of the transition plan.

Iceland has participated in EU crisis management missions undertaken within the framework of the ESDP. Iceland has contributed from the outset to the EU's Police Mission (EUPM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including police officers and a media expert. Iceland also contributed a media expert to the peacekeeping mission Concordia in Macedonia.

Icelandic security co-operation includes other frameworks as well. A media expert and field observers currently serve with the Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). In late 2003 the Icelandic Coast Guard sent personnel from the EOD division to Iraq to serve with a Danish unit. Icelandic media experts have served for the OSCE in Sarajevo and Kosovo. Iceland participated in the UN International Police Task Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Iceland also contributed police officers to the UNMIK police force in Kosovo.

In accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1325 ("on Women, Peace and Security"), Iceland has contributed to UNIFEM's efforts to advance women's rights in the Balkans by employing experts to a project in Kosovo from 1999 to 2005, and in Belgrad from 2006 responsible for the Western Balkan area.

Iceland continues to improve its ability and preparedness to participate in international peace support and humanitarian operations. A key element in this intention is the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (ICRU) which is based on a register of up to 200 expert volunteers. From that registry, Iceland contributes civilian personnel (police officers, medical personnel, engineers, lawyers, media experts, air traffic controllers and others) to international peacekeeping operations. A deployable urban search and rescue team also forms a part of the ICRU. The ICRU members receive basic training at home and abroad, organised and implemented in close cooperation with like minded countries and international organisations that are active in peacekeeping. Iceland offers up to 25 personnel to the UN, NATO, the EU or other international organisations for crisis response operations. The intention is to increase this capacity to 50 personnel out of a pool of 300 experts.

Security co-operation is a cornerstone for Icelandic security and defence policy.