A clear change is happening in the North Atlantic. Iceland, a country that long held neutrality as a core belief, is now steering towards the European Union (EU). This is not a small political adjustment. It is a fundamental rethinking of Iceland’s role in the world.
Leaders in Reykjavik are stating that the old ways are not enough. In an unstable world, an island with no army sees the appeal of collective security.
The time for indecision has passed. The time is now.
From Neutral Ground to a European Future
Iceland has a long history of self-willed neutrality. This was a foundation of its foreign policy when it gained full sovereignty in 1944. The island prized its ability to stand apart from Old World disputes.
The Second World War, however, made leaders think again. The British occupation in 1940 changed everything. It was followed by a 1941 defence agreement with the United States. These events showed that staying apart from big world happenings was not always an option.
This new reality led Iceland to become a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in 1949. That membership formally ended its non-alignment policy. Still, a feeling of neutrality remained in Icelandic politics for many years after. Now, global affairs have again caused Iceland to reconsider its place. The new government has made its view plain.
It is time to look at full European Union membership.
Reykjavik Takes Decisive Steps Toward Brussels
Recently, Iceland’s government has acted to show its new direction. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir announced that Iceland would start talks with the EU. These talks are for a security and defence partnership. This is a huge step.
It shows a new belief among Iceland’s leaders. They now feel working closely with the EU is the best way to ensure the country’s safety. The government also pledged to hold a referendum by 2027.
The vote will be on whether to restart full EU membership talks. Those earlier talks were frozen in 2013 by a different government. This new government is acting with purpose.
Public and Political Tides Are Now Turning
This new drive towards the EU has backing from the Icelandic people. For a long time, most Icelanders opposed joining the EU.
Yet polls now point to a change in opinion. A MaskÃna poll from June 2024 found 54.3% of Icelanders would vote to join.
A bigger majority, 74.2%, thinks a referendum on restarting talks is needed. There are strong economic reasons for this change. The Icelandic króna has often been unstable. People are tired of high inflation and interest rates.
Many Icelanders feel that adopting the euro would bring stability. The same poll found that 66.8% of people believe their households would be better off inside the EU. Many businesses already use the euro for their accounts, seeing it as more reliable.
The political will is also present. The current government is a coalition of parties that favour EU membership. They had a big win in the last election. This has given them the support they need to go on.
Foreign Minister Þorgerður KatrÃn Gunnarsdóttir has said there is enough public backing to reopen discussions. She believes doing so is "vital when it comes to the geopolitical situation."
In a visit to Reykjavik, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was welcoming. She confirmed Iceland’s original application is still valid. The door in Brussels is clearly open.
The Great Stumbling Block of the Fisheries
Of course, not everyone in Iceland is happy about this change. The biggest worry for many is the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy. Fishing is a huge part of Iceland’s economy. It is also a core part of its identity.
For a long time, Icelanders have fought to oversee their own fishing waters. The “Cod Wars” with the United Kingdom in the 20th century are a strong memory of this fight. These were heated standoffs over fishing rights in the North Atlantic.
Many people fear that joining the EU would mean losing this hard-won control. They worry Brussels would set fishing quotas. These quotas could harm Icelandic fishing fleets. This is a deeply felt subject for many Icelanders. It touches on national pride and economic survival.
Seeking a Workable Agreement for the Fishing Sector
These fears might not be fully warranted. When the EU has welcomed new members, it has often made special arrangements. These deals have been for industries of great note to the new members.
It is quite possible that a bargain could be struck. Such a bargain would protect Iceland’s fishing sector. Iceland has one of the world’s best-run and most sustainable fishing industries. The EU could learn much from Icelandic ways of managing fish stocks.
Furthermore, Iceland already follows many EU rules. This is because of its membership in the European Economic Area. So, talks would not be starting from zero. In the last round of talks, Iceland had made good headway.
It had already closed eleven chapters of EU law. It had opened another sixteen. The main work would be on the tough spots like fisheries and farming. A wise compromise can almost certainly be found.
As the saying goes, the proof is always in the pudding. The government must now get on with the job.
A National Vote on Iceland’s European Future
The government’s planned course of action for a referendum is the right one. It will give the Icelandic people the final word on this weighty question. The world is changing and Iceland needs to decide its own place in it.
Staying outside the EU might have worked before. It may not be the best choice for what lies ahead. By moving to restart talks, Iceland is showing readiness. It is ready to meet the new realities of the world. It is a sign that Iceland is no longer happy to be a bystander.
This is a country choosing to actively guide its own future. Joining the EU will be hard. There will be tough talks ahead. But the reward is a more secure and well-off future for Iceland. It would be a future at the centre of a strong and unified Europe. It is a future that a growing number of Icelanders are now ready to welcome.
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