Iceland on its way to joining the EU

By Jaya Spier

Iceland is trying to pick itself back up after the devastating economic circumstances have severely crippled the country in every possible way. Johanna Sigurdardottir, the new Icelandic Prime Minister stated today that she is hoping for a positive parliamentary outcome as a vote takes place on whether or not Iceland should seek to join the European Union.

Previously, the government was highly against the prospect of joining the EU, however after last year’s giant losses it would seem much of the population is reconsidering the idea as it is seen as a way out of the crisis.

Mrs. Sigurdardottir’s Social Democratic Alliance supports the idea of Iceland joining the EU but the Left Green Movement who are her coalition partners disagrees. “Finance Minister Steingrimur Sigfusson said the two parties had "agreed to disagree" on the membership issue. "This is a compromise," he said. "When it comes to voting on the resolution, the members of parliament will only be bound by their own conscience" (BBC).

The government has said its goal is to have the state back to normal by 2013 and that it will continue to cooperate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the recovery program that has been laid out. "I have very high hopes for this government," said Mrs Sigurdardottir. "We are taking office in extraordinary circumstances and have immense tasks ahead of us" (BBC).

The government has said “a final decision on EU membership would be put to Icelanders in a referendum” (AP).

Biyana Raeva who chairs the European Parliament’s delegation with the West Nordic Council has said, "Iceland would be one of the best members of the European Union. It would be one of the best contributors in terms of knowledge and new technology. It has one of the best fisheries management in the world and is advanced in the use of geothermal energy." Raeva went on to say that they are part of Europe and share resources, climate change issues and economic interests; they would be perfect for the EU. (Europarl)

The European commissioner who is in charge of enlargement, Olli Rehn, has echoed Raeva’s feelings on Iceland joining the EU, “it is one of the oldest democracies in the world and its strategic and economic positions would be an asset to the EU” (Guardian).

It sounds like Iceland is on the fast track to joining the EU and if all goes well they could become the 29th member by 2011. Hopefully the new membership would aid Iceland in getting back on its feet by its goal of 2013.