Opnunarávarp utanríkisráðherra á málþingi um öryggis- og stjórnmálasamstarf á Eystrasaltssvæðinu og víðar í Norræna húsinu 10. júní 2026

Opnunarávarp utanríkisráðherra á málþingi um öryggis- og stjórnmálasamstarf á Eystrasaltssvæðinu og víðar í Norræna húsinu miðvikudaginn 10. júní. Varðberg, pólska sendiráðið á Íslandi og utanríkisráðuneytið stóðu að málþinginu. Viðburðurinn markaði lok pólskrar formennsku í Eystrasaltsráðinu (CBSS) og aðdraganda þess að Ísland tekur við formennsku þess 1. júlí 2026.

Ávarpið var flutt á ensku vegna þátttöku fulltrúa erlendra ríkja.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to speak to you today about the Council of the Baltic Sea States - a regional forum that, while sometimes operating quietly, has played a meaningful role in fostering cooperation across one of Europe’s most strategic regions.

Allow me first to thank Poland for its outstanding stewardship of the CBSS over the past year, as Foreign Minister Sikorski has so eloquently outlined. The Polish Presidency has elevated the Council’s work to a new level of cooperation and ambition, reflecting the seriousness of the challenges we collectively face.

The CBSS was established in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War. Its creation reflected a moment of profound transformation and historic opportunity. The Baltic Sea region, once divided by ideological confrontation and geopolitical barriers, suddenly had the chance to reconnect - politically, economically, and socially.

The founding vision was clear: to promote stability, democratic development, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contact among countries that had previously been separated by deep geopolitical fault lines.

In its early years, the CBSS served as a bridge-builder. It brought together EU members, non-EU countries, and Russia in a pragmatic and cooperative framework. The focus was broad and inclusive, reinforcing the idea that regional challenges are best addressed collectively and in partnership. And for many years, this model proved successful.

Since then, however, the geopolitical landscape has changed profoundly. Today, the CBSS operates in a fundamentally different environment, one defined by a full-scale war on the European continent and by a security threat from Russia on a scale not seen in our region for decades.

The Council´s work has evolved accordingly. Under the Polish Presidency in particular, greater emphasis has been placed on security-related issues, most notably the threat posed by Russia’s shadow fleet and its malign hybrid actions in the region. Support to Ukraine has also been high on the agenda, and a main theme of our ad-hoc ministerial meeting convened by Sikorski earlier this year. All of this is well highlighted in the Sopot-declaration adopted at the CBSS ministerial last month.

As Iceland assumes the Presidency of the CBSS on 1 July, our objective is to build on the excellent work carried out by Poland and the Presidencies that came before it. The aim is to draw on the Council’s strong foundation across its traditional areas of expertise while recognizing the need to adapt to a rapidly evolving security environment and the implications this has for CBSS’ work.

The importance of strengthening the resilience of our nations and societies will be at the center of the Icelandic Presidency. We will work to enhance practical cooperation and dialogue among member states with this objective firmly in mind – be it through the Council´s working groups or political engagement.

A key priority will be civil security, civil protection, and societal resilience through the Civil Protection Network. We will advocate for a whole-of-society approach that involves governments, local authorities, emergency services, civil society, and the private sector. Building resilience is not the responsibility of any single actor but a collective effort that requires the engagement of society as a whole.

The Presidency will also focus on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable children through the work of the Expert Group on Children at Risk, with particular attention to refugee children who have experienced trauma, displacement, and instability. And through the Task Force Against Trafficking in Human Beings, we will work to identify new avenues for action in response to evolving forms of exploitation and trafficking.

Iceland will likewise continue discussions on the future of the Expert Group on Sustainable Maritime Economy and support regional cooperation on addressing legal challenges linked to the shadow fleet and maritime security.

Cooperation with CBSS observer states, particularly Ukraine, will be a priority. At a time when Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity under extraordinary circumstances, close cooperation and mutual learning are of strategic importance for the resilience and security of our region.

Iceland will also focus on youth engagement, cultural cooperation, and the promotion of regional identity and cultural heritage. These are not merely complementary activities; they are essential components of resilient societies and of the bonds that unite our region.

Overall, the Icelandic Presidency looks to reinforce the CBSS as a flexible, relevant, and proactive platform capable of addressing shared security and societal challenges while upholding democracy, human rights, and sustainable development in the region.

At the same time, we must be clear-eyed about the broader institutional landscape. In our region NATO, the European Union, the Nordic Council of Ministers, and various sub-regional initiatives all play important roles. In this context, the CBSS must continuously demonstrate its added value.

This means ensuring complementarity rather than duplication. The CBSS should focus on areas where it can add meaningful value, not as a competitor to other institutions. Here, efficiency and relevance are key. The CBSS must therefore prioritize initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes and strengthen regional resilience in practical ways.

Some may ask why Iceland is a member of the CBSS, given our obvious geographical distance from the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea, North Atlantic, and Arctic regions are, however, interconnected. This is not only through history, security and geography, but also through our economies, societies, and shared challenges.

Our cooperation is also grounded in shared values. Democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and multilateralism are not only principles we uphold; they are sources of resilience that strengthen our societies and our ability to navigate these uncertain times. And as these values are increasingly under attack, we need to work together to reinforce our collective security and the foundations of lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.

The importance of regional cooperation is also emphasized in Iceland’s first formal defence and security policy, which was adopted unanimously by parliament in February. We are faced with common security challenges which we must address together within the existing frameworks of cooperation. Iceland is firmly committed to be a valued Ally, and this commitment will also be reflected in our CBSS Presidency.

In conclusion, the CBSS is an important and evolving platform for regional collaboration. The Council’s origins lie in a moment of optimism and reconciliation. Today, it operates in a more challenging environment, shaped by geopolitical tensions, security challenges, and growing insecurity.

Yet some of the core principle remains as relevant now as it did back in 1992, namely that cooperation, dialogue, and shared understanding are essential for stability and prosperity. If we succeed in fostering those principles, the Council will continue to serve as a valuable platform for strengthening resilience and cooperation across the Baltic Sea region for years to come.

Let me assure you, that under the Icelandic Presidency we are committed to advancing that goal.

Thank you.