Iceland formally applies to join EU

[Äike]

Iceland formally applies to join EU (http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/07/23/760149_iceland-formally-applies-to-join-eu)


Iceland formally handed its application to join the European Union to Sweden, the country currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU, on July 23 2009.

Iceland’s foreign minister Össur Skarphéðinsson said that both Iceland and the EU would benefit from Icelandic membership

He said that in the areas of renewable energy, environment and climate change, and healthy food, Iceland should be able to contribute to the development of the EU.

He told a news conference that fisheries issues would naturally be particularly important for Iceland in the accession negotiations that lie ahead.

At the same time, Iceland has already developed co-operation with the EU in many areas, which should make the negotiations easier, he said.

Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt said that Iceland’s application would be assessed in accordance with the EU’s established procedures.

"This is the start of a journey for both the EU and Iceland," Bildt said.

He said that he was pleased that yet another Nordic country was on its way into the EU and that it would have an important impact "on the Nordic dimension".

[~°2012°~]

It has begun

[Skandi]

Damn they will regret that.

[~°2012°~]

"This is the start of a journey for both the EU and Iceland," Bildt said

Well pardon my French but Mr. Bildt can go suck himself. The left green movement joined Social Democratic Alliance as the minor partner in a coalition government simply because the VG's (left green movement) chairman Steingrímur J. Sigfússon tricked (what a surprise) most of his followers with the promise that his party would never allow Iceland to enter the EU. Not only has Steingrímur J. committed a political suicide but has reaped nothing but the steaming anger of the crowd for his blatant lies. This will be a journey indeed.