The EU and Iceland boost cooperation on ocean affairs at a high-level dialogue in Reykjavík

The European Union and Iceland held a High-Level Dialogue on ocean cooperation in Reykjavík today, reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainable fisheries, Arctic governance and the blue economy.

The Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, met with Iceland’s Minister for Industry, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, to review progress made under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the EU and Iceland, signed in July 2025. The agreement builds on decades of collaboration, including a bilateral fisheries partnership dating back to 1993, and establishes a framework for closer cooperation on marine sustainability, scientific research and the energy transition in the fisheries sector.

Discussions focused on several key areas, such as Arctic cooperation, addressing shared regional challenges; fisheries management, with an emphasis on strengthening stock conservation and quota agreements; and ocean governance, enhancing multilateral engagement in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) whilst promoting global initiatives for marine protection and a sustainable blue economy.

Commissioner Kadis said: “The EU and Iceland are close partners when it comes to the North-East Atlantic. We face many of the same challenges, from climate change to pressure on fish stocks, and we need to work closely together. Strengthening cooperation on broader ocean issues, including international ocean governance and our engagement in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, is essential to ensuring sustainable and resilient seas, in line with the objectives of the Ocean Pact. This means relying on science, managing our fisheries responsibly and providing greater certainty and opportunities for those working in the sector. Today’s discussions represent a positive step forward, and I am confident that we will be able to build on this cooperation in the coming years; the EU-Iceland Memorandum of Understanding provides a solid foundation for this.

During his visit, Commissioner Kadis travelled to Grindavík, the coastal town severely affected by volcanic eruptions since 2023, to meet with local fishermen and witness the resilience of Iceland’s fishing communities. He also visited the Iceland Ocean Cluster, a leading innovation hub for the circular blue bioeconomy, whose work is closely aligned with the EU’s European Ocean Pact.

The High-Level Dialogue underlines the shared vision of the EU and Iceland to achieve healthy oceans, thriving coastal communities and a sustainable blue economy.

More information: European Commission.