Iceland drops application to join European Union
Iceland says it has informed the European Union (EU) that it is no longer interested in pursuing a bid to join the 28-nation bloc.
Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson said in a Thursday statement that his country’s “interests are better served outside the European Union.”
Sveinsson said Latvia, which currently holds the EU presidency, and the European Commission were informed about Reykjavik’s move to annul the application.
“The government considers that Iceland is no longer a candidate country and requests the EU to act in accordance with this from now on,” the statement said.
In January, Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson announced that his government was planning to revoke the EU membership application.
“Participating in EU talks isn’t really valid anymore. Both due to changes in the European Union and because it’s not in line with the policies of the ruling government to accept everything that the last government was willing to accept. Because of that, we’re back at square one,” Gunnlaugsson said back then.
Iceland applied to become a member of the bloc in the wake of its financial crisis in July 2009. The country’s national currency, Icelandic krona, lost almost half its value during the crisis.
The European Commission issued a favorable response to the request in February 2010, and formal negotiations were initiated in July 2010.
However, the talks stalled after the April 2013 elections in Iceland, in which the new center-right government assumed power and decided to end the accession talks with the EU.
Iceland is currently a member of the European Economic Area, the European Free Trade Association, and a part of the Schengen Area.
DB/HJL/MHB
Tens of thousands of Catalans protest to demand access to better housing
Iran urges pope to help end Israeli onslaught in Gaza
Russia launches 'ICBM' for first time against Ukraine: Kiev
Iran reports 11% drop in domestic red meat supply
Arab League affirms support for Iraq amid Israel's threats of military action
VIDEO | Fierce fight in Southern Lebanon
Over 1000 medics killed in Gaza as Israel systematically targets hospitals
Iran’s steel output down 1.9% y/y in October to 3 mln mt: Worldsteel
Islamabad in lockdown as Imran Khan supporters march for his release
VIDEO | Russia's new hypersonic missiles target Ukraine
VIDEO | US-backed war on Lebanon
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
