Iceland is preparing for a nationwide referendum on resuming negotiations for accession to the European Union, which were suspended more than ten years ago, Reuters reports.
Source: Censor.NET
The Icelandic parliament has approved holding the referendum, scheduled for August 29. This will be the first stage of a government plan that could bring the country back into the EU membership negotiation process.
If citizens support the initiative, Iceland will resume negotiations on joining the European Union. If the result is negative, attempts to return to the EU integration process will be halted.
Accession talks between Iceland and the EU lasted four years but were suspended in 2013 after a eurosceptic government came to power.
Recent opinion polls show growing support for EU membership. Among the reasons cited are the rising cost of living and the impact of the war in Ukraine on Europe’s security situation.
University of Iceland professor Ólafur Þórður Harðarson notes that a significant share of citizens remain undecided on membership, so a two-stage voting model could help facilitate decision-making.
The Icelandic government proposes holding a second referendum after the negotiations are completed, where citizens would assess the specific terms of potential membership.
Iceland’s Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir previously stated that the country could theoretically join the European Union as early as 2028. However, fisheries and agriculture remain the most difficult issues.