EEA parliamentarians address geopolitical challenges and Arctic developments in Akureyri, Iceland

The meeting was co-chaired by Grímur Grímsson, President of the EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee (EEA JPC) and Chair of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee, and Christophe Grudler, acting Vice President of the EEA JPC and member of the European Parliament delegation for relations with the EFTA countries and the European Economic Area.  

The setting for the meeting in Akureyri, situated in Iceland’s far north, served as a fitting backdrop for discussions on transatlantic relations and geopolitical developments in the Arctic. Bergdís Ellertsdóttir, Iceland’s Arctic Ambassador, addressed the committee and provided valuable insights on Arctic cooperation and developments. She spoke about geostrategic considerations and stressed the importance of upholding focus on science and research. The committee also engaged in a substantive exchange with Claude Véron-Réville, Special Envoy for the Arctic from the European External Action Service.  

Building on discussions from the previous EEA JPC meeting in Oslo in November 2024, the committee examined ways to strengthen Europe’s defence industry. In this context, members reaffirmed their firm support for Ukraine in the ongoing Russian aggression. Arūnas Vinčiūnas, Head of the Ukraine Support and Military Mobility Unit at the European Commission Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, briefed the committee on the European Defence Industrial Strategy. Trine Lise Sundnes, Member of the Norwegian Parliament, outlined the key components of Norway’s defence industry.  

In addition to the security dimension, the EEA JPC examined the state of play of global trade amidst the persistent tensions regarding the US tariffs. Here, the committee heard from Myrto Zambarta, Director for Multilateral Affairs, Strategy, Analysis, Evaluation from the Commission Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security. She updated members on the current state of play in the EU’s discussions with the US administration. The EFTA Chair of the EEA Joint Committee, Ambassador Pascal Schafhauser from Liechtenstein, provided the EEA perspective on the topic. He stated that “the prosperity and economic growth of the EEA EFTA States depend on a stable, rules-based trading system and close, constructive cooperation with major economic partners”. 

The committee also addressed Europe’s strategy to boost competitiveness, with particular focus on two of the Commission’s flagship initiatives: the Clean Industrial Deal and the Omnibus package. Members had the opportunity to exchange views with Pablo Fons from the Task Force on the EU’s Future Competitiveness at the Commission Secretariat-General. Pointing towards the bigger picture, Mr Fons stressed the importance of the EEA cooperation in boosting competitiveness: “Trade plays a vital role for Europe’s competitiveness and economic security and the EFTA States make an important contribution to this.” 

Finally, the EEA parliamentarians were able to learn more about geothermal energy production in Iceland during a visit to Krafla power plant, where they received presentations from experts.  

To conclude, the committee agreed on topics to explore at the next meeting which will take place in Strasbourg in the fall. 

The EEA JPC is a joint forum composed of members of the national parliaments of the EEA EFTA States and Members of the European Parliament. Its mandate is to contribute – through dialogue and debate – to a better understanding between the EU and the EEA EFTA States in the fields covered by the EEA Agreement.