By Martha Moss - 27th July 2010
I am concerned by the current lack of broad public support to the EU membership in Iceland
EU enlargement commissioner Štefan Füle
It was only in 2009 when we had political skirmishes with two close old friends over Icesave that the support [for EU membership] fell
Icelandic foreign affairs minister Össur Skarphedinsson
As Iceland's accession negotiations kick off in Brussels, EU enlargement commissioner Štefan Füle has raised concerns over the lack of domestic support for the country's membership.
The EU-Iceland accession conference on Tuesday marked the first stage of formal negotiations on Reykjavík's membership. It came just one day after EU ministers agreed that talks should go ahead.
A recent opinion poll found that some 60 per cent of Icelanders were opposed to membership, up from 54 per cent in November.
"I am concerned by the current lack of broad public support for EU membership in Iceland," said Füle.
"This shows that there is a need for more information about the EU and its policies. The decision should be based on facts and figures not on myths and fears."
Icelandic foreign affairs minister Össur Skarphedinsson told reporters that the drop in support had come as a result of the fallout from the collapse of the Icesave bank in 2008.
According to Skarphedinsson most opinion polls before the Icesave collapse had shown a majority of Icelanders in favour of application.
The Icelandic people felt the EU had "taken sides" with the British and Dutch over the issue, said Skarphedinsson, adding, "It was only in 2009 when we had political skirmishes with two close old friends [the UK and Netherlands] over Icesave that the support fell."
Citing falling support in fellow accession candidate Croatia, he said people had "become more introspect" as a result of the economic crisis.
Agriculture and fisheries - whaling in particular - are among the other key issues on the negotiating table.
Skarphedinsson called on the EU to take into account that whaling is "a part of our tradition".
"I'm absolutely convinced that if we manage to solve in a satisfactory manner the difficult issues such as fisheries, then that will go a long way to convince the Icelandic people about the positive things of joining," he said.
A 'win-win' situation
Steven Vanackere, Belgium's acting foreign affairs minister whose country hold the rotating council presidency, said Tuesday's discussion "marks another milestone" in EU-Iceland relations.
However, he acknowledged that "serious efforts" would be needed on fisheries, agriculture, rural development, the environment and the free movement of capital and financial services for the country to meet the accession criteria.
Füle agreed it was not going to be an "easy ride", but said the opening talks represented "a historic date for the EU and for Iceland".
"There is no doubt that accession should be a win-win situation for both sides," he said.
"For Iceland this means economic and monetary stability and a voice at the EU decision making table.
"For the EU there are some strategic considerations, including Iceland's involvement in the arctic region."
Wilfried Martens, president of the pan-European centre-right EPP party, said that Iceland's accession "will strengthen the EU's Nordic dimension and the European project at-large".
"I believe that Iceland, with its longstanding democratic institutions and European traditions, will merit a place in the EU family," he added.
Iceland has already adopted a significant part of EU law through its participation in the European economic area and the Schengen border-free travel zone.
The accession process is expected to take 12- to 18 months to complete.
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