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Cóir Date: 09.09.2010 Towards the end of July the European Union commenced talks with the Icelandic Government over potential entry into the EU. These discussions go on amid declining EU confidence among Iceland’s public.
After the discussions formally opened, Icelandic foreign minister Oessur Skarphedinsson and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele spoke to reporters.
Mr. Fuele said he was "concerned by the current lack of broad public support for European Union membership in Iceland."
But while Iceland’s foreign Affairs Minister strongly supports EU accession claiming to those in Brussels it also has broad Government support, the Farming and Fisheries Minister told the media that the Icelandic member process should be brought to a halt, on the same day.
According to a Capacent Gallup poll, 60% of the Iceland public oppose joining the EU while only 26 percent favour membership. Another poll suggests that 58% don’t even trust their own Government in considering Iceland’s best interests in their talks with Brussels on the prospect of negotiating a membership deal.
The main concerns the Icelandic people have with joining the EU is that their sovereignty would be eroded. (Testament to this was their public anger provoked when the European Council stated they would hold membership talks on Iceland’s national holiday on the 17 June.) Fishing and agriculture are also large influencing factors, as they fear a transfer in their waters to the EU and potential fishing quotas, which could have similar consequences to that which Ireland suffered.
Many are also concerned that the EU may be taking sides with Britain and the Netherlands over their combined dispute with Iceland concerning the collapse of Icelandic bank, Icesave. After its fall, the British and Dutch Governments compensated depositors of Icesave from their respective countries and now want Iceland’s Government to pay them back. Such a debt is said to be just under €4 billion, an enormous fee for nation of under 320,000 people.
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