Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir attended the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, where Allies demonstrated unity and solidarity in the face of an increasingly uncertain security environment. Rising investments in defence, more equitable burden sharing, a stronger transatlantic defence industry and steadfast long-term support for Ukraine were at the top of the Summit agenda.

Leaders reviewed the progress made since the decisions of the NATO Summit in the Hague last summer on significantly increased defence spending. A year on, defence spending has increased substantially with European Allies and Canada taking greater responsibility for the defence of the Alliance, in close partnership with the United States. Iceland'sDefence and Security Policy, agreed unanimously by the Althing, Iceland's Parliament, earlier this year, further underpins Iceland's commitment to enhancing its contributions to the collective security of the Alliance.

"A stronger Europe in a Stronger NATO is taking shape - a positive development. Iceland is no exception and in recent years, we have significantly increased our defence related expenditures. We will continue on that path as a responsible Ally", says Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir

At the Summit, Allies affirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine's fight for freedom against Russia's illegal invasion. Foreign Ministers also met in the NATO-Ukraine Council with Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, where Allies pledged increased support for Ukraine's defence.

"Russia is the most significant and direct threat to Allies' security and so Ukraine's security is closely intertwined with our own. Support for Ukraine is therefore an investment in our own security and reinforces the fundamental values that underpin Iceland's sovereignty - the rules based international order and respect for international law," says Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.

The security situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz was also discussed, including at a meeting of Allied Foreign Ministers with their counterparts from the Partner countries of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative – Bahrein, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Defence Ministers met with Partners from the Indo-Pacific – Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.

At the Summit, twelve Allies in and around the North-Atlantic, including Iceland, announced their commitment to take greater maritime responsibility for deterrence and defence in the North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea and the Arctic. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and defence ministers of Canada, Denmark, Germany and Norway signed a Letter of Intent on Iceland joining the Maritime Security Partnership which aims to enhance capabilities, surveillance and security in the North-Atlantic. Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir also held meetings with the foreign ministers of Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.

The Summit Declaration, agreed unanimously at the meeting, is available on the NATO website.