Iceland votes on resuming EU membership talks as Arctic tensions rise

Icelanders were voting on Saturday, August 29, on whether to resume negotiations on joining the European Union, as growing geopolitical pressures have pushed EU membership back to the top of the political agenda.

The referendum was announced in March after Iceland’s pro-EU government, led by the Social Democrats, pledged following its 2024 election victory to hold a vote on reopening accession talks.

Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009 after the global financial crisis dealt a severe blow to its economy. Accession negotiations were suspended in 2013 by a Eurosceptic government that subsequently came to power.

The Nordic country, home to fewer than 400,000 people and a member of NATO, is now facing increased pressure to strengthen its links with mainland Europe.

Concerns about the US commitment to European and Icelandic security, growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic and Washington’s threats to take control of Greenland, the Arctic island west of Iceland, have contributed to renewed debate over Iceland’s relationship with the EU.

Iceland already maintains close economic and travel ties with the bloc through membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) and participation in the Schengen visa-free travel area.

The outcome remained uncertain, with opinion polls indicating that Icelanders were divided over whether to reopen accession negotiations.

Fishing remains one of the most contentious issues in the membership debate. Control over Iceland’s lucrative fishing grounds is particularly sensitive because of the sector’s importance to the country’s economy.

A vote in favour of reopening negotiations would not amount to a decision to join the EU. It would instead initiate what could be years of talks with the European Commission to assess Iceland’s compliance with EU legislation, regulations and standards.

By Tamilla Hasanova