From Iceland — Timing Off On EU Bill

Timing Off On EU Bill

Published March 26, 2014

Nanna Árnadóttir
Photo by
Paul Fontaine

Iceland’s foreign minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson has said that although he does not believe it was wrong to put forth a bill ending EU Accession talks, he believes the timing could have been better, reports RÚV.

The bill to end EU accession talks, which directly contradicted the government’s campaign promises, triggered the ongoing protests for a referendum in front of Iceland’s parliament.

“Some people will obviously say that this was a mistake. In my mind [the decision end EU talks] was no mistake, but we probably could have waited a day or two more,” said Gunnar Bragi.

The foreign minister went on to say that he did not see the point of continuing accession talks when the ruling coalition was against joining the EU.

Currently, the majority of Icelanders want a referendum deciding whether or not to finish the accession talks but Gunnar Bragi told RÚV that he did not think it was possible to separate asking people whether they wish to finish accession talks and asking whether they wish to join the EU.

Further Reading

Ruling Coalition Wants To End EU Talks

Most Icelanders Want To Vote On EU Talks

Over 2,000 Protest On EU Referendum – VIDEO

Referendum Protests Continue

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