Icelandic voters will decide on August 29 whether to resume negotiations on the country's accession to the European Union amid rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's policy toward Greenland. Associated Press reports, UNN writes.
Details
The referendum will be the first direct vote by Icelanders on resuming negotiations on EU membership. Iceland, with a population of about 400,000, is a NATO member, participates in the EU single market through the European Economic Area, and is part of the Schengen Area.
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One of the factors that accelerated the referendum was Trump's statements about Greenland. The American president has repeatedly spoken about the need for the United States to control the Danish autonomous territory, and in one speech he called Greenland Iceland several times.
We can no longer truly trust the United States. Trump was not joking about Greenland. There was a lot of fear in Iceland because if he takes Greenland by force, we will probably be next
Sovereignty and fishing remain the main issues
Supporters of EU membership believe that closer ties with Europe could strengthen Iceland's security and protect it from geopolitical instability. Among the possible economic benefits, they cite a more stable currency, lower interest rates, and inflation.
Opponents of accession emphasize the preservation of sovereignty. Iceland gained independence from Denmark in 1944, and control over its own laws and natural resources remains an important part of national policy.
Iceland's independence is the most valuable resource we have. The ability to create our own laws and decide how to do everything is extremely important
Fishing is a separate issue. Iceland has extensive fish resources in the North Atlantic, and concerns about losing control over them have remained one of the main arguments against joining the EU for many years. Icelandic opponents of membership fear that European trawlers will gain access to its waters under the EU's Common Fisheries Policy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said that Iceland would not agree to a deal that did not guarantee the country's full control over its own fisheries.
Iceland has already attempted to join the EU. Negotiations began after the country submitted its application in 2009 amid the global financial crisis, but they were suspended in 2013 and formally ended in 2015.
If Icelanders support resuming negotiations in the referendum, a years-long process with the European Commission will begin. It will assess the country's compliance with 35 groups of criteria, including in the areas of finance, fisheries, transport, agriculture, and rights and freedoms. The final agreement must be approved by all EU member states, after which the decision on accession will again be put to a vote in Iceland.
Iceland to propose nationwide referendum on EU accession this autumn05.03.26, 23:45