(Icelandic government press release:) Iceland welcomes the opinion of the European Commission on Iceland’s application for EU membership, which recommends the opening of accession negotiations.
In the opinion, Iceland’s adherence to EU´s common values is acknowledged and Iceland is described as a deep-rooted democracy with a functioning free market economy based on the rule of law and the respect for human rights. The Commission acknowledges the efforts made by the government in stabilizing the economy in the wake of the global financial crisis and laying a sound foundation for sustainable economic recovery. The Commission also identifies areas that will be the subject of the upcoming accession talks.
“I appreciate the confidence in Iceland expressed by the EU Commission in this balanced, constructive and broadly speaking very positive report. It confirms that Iceland fulfills the Copenhagen criteria and is well prepared for accession talks due to its already deep integration with the European Union. It also points to many of the very issues this government is already taking action on, such as the strengthening of supervision of financial institutions,” said Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson.
Minister Skarphedinsson said that the Commission opinion is a significant step for Iceland on its road towards Europe. “My hope is that the EU Ministerial Council will, in the near future, decide to open accession talks with Iceland. My government will approach the coming negotiations in good faith and willingness to find common solutions that guarantee Iceland’s interests while respecting EU principles.”
The opinion of the EU Commission on Iceland can be found http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/opinion-iceland_2010_en.htm
No man is in Island is a common concept but sometime the need to stand and be strong, maximizing all the resources with in develops a sense of will being, a true independence. Now, with progress and advance developments within Iceland we just have to trust ourselves, learned from this meltdown, be transparent, maximized proper honest management, scrutinezed future investments and business transactions for common benefit. Update dormant and inapplicable no good legal provisions, Iceland can stand self supporting and self generating. If the international community recognizes these capabilities, then we should. Immediately, joining the EEC will not solved all the problems especially with the international uproar caused by the Icesave and the present economic situation. It will not be honorable to do so. Whereus, it maybe very hard like 40 or 50 years ago, a slow but sure way to overcome the problems and be able to rise again. Then maybe …. maybe consider and think about the membership in the near future.
Let’s keep our independance, freedom of speech, control of our resources, control of our borders, democracy and economy
Lets not join the EU!!
Peter London
>if you read the full opinion you will see that there is the possibility that Iceland could provide major input to the to the Common Fisheries Policy
Dont make me laugh. If you know any details about the CFP and the way the EU machine works ( if you bother to find my posts on Common Fisheries Policy here you would know that this is complete and utter a fantasy.
EU commission is desperate to see Iceland inside.
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and Social Demicrats are desperate to see Iceland inside.
As to Icelandic people, 70 %+ are not only less than enthusistic about the EU they are solidly no thank you.
In fact most would have a lot less polite way to say it :
https://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/09/08/commissioner-rehn-presents-eu-questionnaire-to-icelandic-pm/#comment-92825
>>Norway and Switzerland are doing more than fine as non-members.
Uhh, Norway exports a massive surplus of oil, fish, hydroelectric power and minerals. Switzerland has banking and all sorts of other industries.
Both countries are very rich and its why they stayed out of the EU.
Iceland is dirt poor and has a very small positive balance of payments. Even its geothermal power is, actually relative small (Italy has 50% more geothermal power plants).
Agreed. Iceland needs to STAY AWAY from the EU. It would be such a shame!!!. The EU is a joke, and will destroys Iceland.
Don’t do it, Iceland. Things may look pretty bad now but please don’t throw away your independence.
Norway and Switzerland are doing more than fine as non-members.
[…] Read more: EU calls for Iceland accession talks | IceNews – Daily News […]
>So far there is no majority for this.
So far.
Things change, if you read the full opinion you will see that there is the possibility that Iceland could provide major input to the to the Common Fisheries Policy. If that meant that Iceland could write it to suit themselves a major hurdle to joining would disappear.
Nice to hear that the minister is “happy”…now he and his in this matter very much divided colleagues in government (with its diminishing support in the public) only have to convince a mayority of Icelanders to join the EU… So far there is no mayority for this. I am still puzzled howe this tlaks could have been started without the support of the nation.
that shows once again the common disrespect of icelandic politicians for there people. Time to change the system from ground on in Iceland. I would prefer a Swizerland like suystem here. That would save us a lot of money and would make governing here more transperant and understandable for us. Stop this corruption here now and this back-room business and htis igorant political class.