Iceland's Minister of Industry, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson and EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis.
Photo: European Commission
The European Union and Iceland have reaffirmed plans to deepen cooperation on fisheries and wider ocean policy after a high-level meeting in Reykjavik on 17 April between EU fisheries and oceans commissioner Costas Kadis and Iceland’s minister of industries, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson.
The European Commission said the talks reviewed progress under the EU-Iceland memorandum of understanding signed in July 2025, continuing to build on a bilateral fisheries relationship dating back to 1993.
The discussions focused on Arctic cooperation, fisheries management and ocean governance, with the two sides highlighting stock conservation, quota arrangements and joint engagement in regional fisheries bodies. The meeting also touched on marine sustainability, scientific research and the energy transition in the fishing sector, areas covered by the 2025 memorandum.
“The EU and Iceland are close partners when it comes to the North-East Atlantic. We are facing many of the same challenges, from climate change to pressure on fish stocks, and we need to work closely together," Kadis said.
"Strengthening cooperation on broader ocean matters, including international ocean governance and our engagement in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, is essential to ensure sustainable and resilient seas in line with the objectives of the Ocean Pact," he argued.
"That means relying on science, managing our fisheries responsibly, and giving people in the sector more certainty and opportunities. Today's discussions were a good step forward, and I am confident we can build on this cooperation in the years ahead, and the EU-Iceland MoU is a good basis for that,” Kadis said.
During his visit, Kadis also travelled to Grindavík, the fishing town hit by volcanic eruptions since 2023, where he met members of the local fishing industry.
He also visited the Iceland Ocean Cluster, a hub for circular blue bioeconomy innovation which the European Commission said links to the aims of the European Ocean Pact, the EU strategy adopted in June 2025.
The Commission said the dialogue reflected a shared EU-Iceland ambition to support healthy seas, coastal communities and a more sustainable blue economy.
