Minister of Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson “completely disagrees” with remarks his predecessor Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir made to a Germany journalist about Iceland joining the European Union.
As reported last week, Gísladóttir told Financial Times journalist Clemens Bomsdorf that she believes accession negotiations between Iceland and the European Union should be delayed, as most Icelanders themselves are still not convinced Iceland should even join.
Skarphéðinsson told the news site Smugan that he completely disagrees with this position. Rather, he sees joining the EU to be a part of Iceland’s economic recovery.
Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir seems to agree, as she said she isn’t as pessimistic as Gísladóttir. While the current economic situation makes many Icelanders suspicious of the EU reaching out a hand, the Prime Minister believes that an informed discussion will lead people to the conclusion that joining the EU is the best solution for everyone.