The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will begin discussions with Iceland on a security and defense partnership, focusing on hybrid threats and civil protection. Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir expressed optimism about concluding talks by the year's end. The agreement is separate from Iceland's NATO membership and includes access to the EU's SAFE project. Additionally, a review of Iceland's trade terms with the EU will commence, and there is growing public support for EU membership.