Words by

Jóhannes Bjarkason

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Wikimedia Commons

The Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs could soon be titled the Foreign and Defence Ministry following new government policy, RÚV reports. 

On March 11, Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir presented a new policy for Iceland’s national security and defences, to be motioned this spring. According to the bill, it highlights the legal and institutional reforms of defence topics. 

According to RÚV, the reasons behind the name change are purely practical, as it better reflects the ministry’s role. Defence topics are among the ministry’s duties, operated by its Directorate for Defence. Þorgerður has confirmed that the change is being considered, but no decisions have been made.