Deputy Secretary Bob Work hosted the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson for a meeting at the Pentagon today.
Work assured Sveinsson of the U.S. commitment to bilateral defense cooperation and to Iceland's defense in accordance with the 1951 Bilateral Defense Agreement. The two leaders discussed the importance of the U.S.-Iceland bilateral relationship, NATO operations, Nordic and Arctic regional security, and maritime cooperation. The deputy secretary also expressed appreciation for the leadership role Iceland has assumed in enhancing regional cooperation on Arctic issues including maritime search and rescue activities.
Both leaders highlighted their mutual security interests, and affirmed their commitment to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation to meet future security challenges.
Minister Sveinsson is visiting Washington, D.C. to open a year-long exhibition of Icelandic photographs at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.