Vísir reports that according to a European Union report regarding the growth of the organzation to come out this week, Iceland’s admission to the EU could be put on the fast track. This was reported by Reuters and the Irish radio station RTÉ.
Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson told reporters that while the report has not yet arrived in his office, the sentiment doesn’t surprise him.
“I have introduced Iceland’s position to many European ministers,” he told reporters, “and have had many phone calls and meetings with some of them.” Skarphéðinsson added that Iceland has been building a relationship with the EU for the past fifteen years.
He emphasized, however, that how fast the process of admission takes is not a special concern of the Icelandic government, understanding that some areas – such as fishing and agriculture – will take a long time to get sorted.
Fishing is one of the more contentious issues with regards to the EU, with many Icelanders fearing losing control of their territorial waters in an already weakened economy. Pro-EU Icelanders argue, on the other hand, that the euro is a far more stable currency, and it would benefit Iceland in the long run to adopt it.
Iceland officially applied for EU membership last July.