Iceland rejects government proposal to resume EU membership talks
- On Sunday, roughly 400,000 Icelanders voted 52.8 percent to 47.2 percent against resuming EU accession negotiations, effectively burying the issue suspended 13 years ago for the foreseeable future.
- Geopolitical pressures weighed heavily as President Donald Trump's threats to take control of Greenland resonated in Iceland, though debate centered on fishing rights and currency volatility.
- European Council President Antnio Costa told Prime Minister Kristrn Frostadttir the EU "fully respects the democratic choice" of Icelanders, yet dismay remained palpable in Brussels over the rejection.
- Eurosceptics celebrated the outcome; Marine Le Pen praised the appeal of "free and sovereign nations," while Green MEP Saskia Bricmont warned, "The takeaway is clear: the EU today no longer inspires dreams."
- Iceland remains closely linked to the European Union through membership in the European Economic Area and Schengen area; MEP Kathleen Van Brempt stated Arctic security cooperation remains "more important than ever.
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714 Articles
Following the defeat in a referendum in Iceland, Prime Minister Frostadottir confirmed that she would not resume talks about her country's accession to the EU. At the same time, she wanted to strengthen trade relations with the European Union, said Frostadóttir in Reykjavík. The Prime Minister had previously advocated a rapprochement with the EU and called the vote a "historical opportunity" for Iceland.
Iceland votes to reject proposal to begin negotiations to rejoin the European Union
Icelanders reasserted their desire to remain out of the European Union, voting against a referendum that would have initiated negotiations to join the supranational union. Iceland’s National Electoral Commission revealed on Sunday that the measure lost by a 52.8% to 47.2% vote, the Associated Press reported. If Icelanders had voted in the affirmative and supported the referendum, there would still have been no guarantee that the country would h…
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed regret over the decision of Icelandic voters who rejected the renewal of accession negotiations with the European Union in a referendum on Saturday.
After Norway and Switzerland, Iceland became, on Sunday 30 August, the third country to refuse to join the European Union. A setback for Brussels, which hoped to strengthen its presence in the Far North and thus counter American and Russian vellities in the region.
"Countries want to remain in charge of themselves." That is the conclusion of Professor of European Politics Hendrik Vos following Iceland's 'no' to the start of accession talks with the EU. This idea is particularly prevalent in economically strong countries like Iceland, Vos states, while in poorer countries, the hope for economic progress takes precedence.
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