On behalf of the United States, I offer my congratulations to the people of Iceland on their National Day.
This extraordinary year marks the 80th anniversary of Iceland’s independence and the 75th anniversary of the NATO Alliance, where we were united as founding members. The United States is proud to be the first country to recognize Iceland’s independence. We reaffirm today the strong and steadfast friendship between us, based on democratic principles, freedom, and commitments to our collective security as NATO Allies. Together, we are addressing persistent and new shared challenges across a broad range of economic, human rights, security, and climate issues in the region and globally. Our bilateral defense bond since 1951, our people-to-people ties, and our cooperation in the Arctic Council are fundamental to ensuring a secure, stable, and prosperous Arctic region. Close coordination between the United States and Iceland is essential to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their country against Russia’s unprovoked war, and as we pursue justice and accountability for Russia’s brutal actions.
I wish a bright future to the people of both our countries and extend on this special day the warmest wishes of the United States for peace, health, and prosperity to all the people of Iceland.
iceland-national-day-united-states-department-of-state
