The EU has a strategy to attract a new member state as quickly as possible, amid cooling relations with the US and in the context of global insecurity
The European Union wants Iceland to join the bloc. But things are not simple. Recent polls show that 47% of Icelanders are against and 40% in favor of joining, with fishing remaining the deciding issue, writes the Financial Times.
The EU could offer Iceland a derogation on its fisheries policy to speed up the country's eventual bid to join the bloc, officials in Brussels said, as the bloc seeks to expand its presence in the strategically important Arctic region.
Iceland is preparing for a referendum in August on resuming EU membership talks as it faces security concerns heightened by Russia's war in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland.
There is 'definitely room for flexibility'
Iceland's previous application to join the EU, more than a decade ago, was frozen after a standoff with Brussels over fishing rights.
But Costas Kadis, the EU's fisheries commissioner, told the Financial Times there was “certainly room for flexibility” as the bloc overhauls its decades-old policy.
Asked if the EU would be willing to offer Iceland exemptions, the commissioner said: “Yes, yes. It will be part of the discussions.”
“Iceland and the European Union are getting closer, taking into account recent geopolitical developments,” he assured.
Greenland moment
The European Commission has stepped up efforts to rethink its Arctic strategy since Trump's rhetoric about Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory, peaked earlier this year.
Icelandic officials have been troubled by Trump's repeated confusion of Greenland with Iceland when asserting US rights to the large Arctic island.
Meanwhile, the EU's efforts to attract new members are part of a wider shift in strategy following Russia's large-scale invasion, with Brussels now negotiating with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.
Meanwhile, uncertainty over US military commitments has accelerated the bloc's efforts to strengthen its own security and tighten alliances.
Iceland's reluctance
But EU membership has long been a controversial topic in Iceland. Recent polls show 47% against and 40% in favor of joining, with fishing remaining the deciding issue.
Officials and diplomats say that without some flexibility on the matter, EU membership is unlikely.
“We have developed our fishing sector as a business, while in the EU fishing is still treated as a regional policy and subsidized. It would not work,” said an Icelandic official.
He added at the same time that the geopolitical context has “completely changed” since the last round of negotiations, with Reykjavik increasingly worried about Washington's position following the Greenland crisis.
Iceland is a founding member of NATO, but has no military of its own and is covered by the same Cold War-era defense agreements with the US that date back to 1951.
Another official said EU membership had taken on new importance from a security perspective, adding: “I think it's going to be a very, very close referendum, a fisheries exception could definitely tip the balance,” he said.
