Visit of the Foreign Ministers of the Benelux countries to Norway and Iceland

From 15 to 17 September 2026, Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, travelled jointly with the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, and the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prévot, on a working visit to Norway (15–16 September) and Iceland (17 September).

The visit was organised at the initiative of the Dutch Benelux Presidency and reflects the shared commitment to regularly undertake joint working visits and demonstrate a common commitment to partner countries.

Norway

In Oslo, the three Foreign Ministers held talks with their Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, as well as an exchange with State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Eivind Petersson. Discussions focused on Norway’s relations with the three Benelux countries, cooperation between the European Union and Norway, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in the Arctic.

The visit to Norway also provided an opportunity for the ministers to exchange with students at the University of Oslo on foreign and European security policy in the High North. The programme also included a visit to the Andøya Space Center, located in the north of the country.

Minister Bettel stated: “It is essential that the European Union, together with like-minded countries such as Norway, adopts a holistic approach to the situation in the Arctic, taking into account all aspects of current developments in the region.” Thus he stressed that the fight against climate change must remain a priority in the Arctic.

Iceland

In Reykjavik, the three Foreign Ministers were received by the Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir. They also held a working meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.

The discussions focused primarily on Iceland’s relations with the three Benelux countries, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Icelandic referendum on the resumption of European Union membership negotiations, as well as the situation in the Arctic.

During the press conference following the meeting with Minister Gunnarsdóttir, Minister Bettel stated: “We have a relationship based on our shared values, and we must continue to work together to advance our common priorities. Iceland will remain one of the EU’s closest partners, and we will continue to work together for the benefit of our citizens.”

The visit to Iceland also gave the ministers an opportunity to visit a geothermal power plant at Hellisheiði, one of Iceland’s green energy production sites. Finally, the Benelux ministers visited the military air base at Keflavík.