Iceland’s chief negotiator to the EU believes support for Iceland’s membership is solid.
Stefán Haukur Jóhannesson told Vísir that “All indications point to there being great support for the possibility of our membership.” He added that the next step will be for EU authorities to go over the answers that the Icelandic government submitted, in response to some 2,500 questions EU authorities asked.
As it stands now, Jóhannesson said, EU authorities are satisfied with the answers provided. Continuing steps will probably take place late this year or early next year. After that, it will pretty much be a matter of how flexible the EU is willing to be.
Maritime issues – specifically, fishing rights and territories – will likely be the biggest issue, Jóhannesson believes. Icelanders are also considered about how joining the EU will impact the agricultural sector. Currently, most Icelanders favor entering negotiations for membership, but most are also not ready to support joining.