Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir says that comments by Poland’s Prime Minister and former President of the European Council Donald Tusk — that “Iceland is Europe” and that he would be more than happy for it to join the EU — demonstrate the interest that exists in Iceland within the EU, reports RÚV. She adds that accession negotiations have not begun and that neither she nor the nation is prepared to join the EU on just any terms.
“What I found more noteworthy is that someone like him, who has held such senior positions within the European Union, is so aware that a nation like Iceland should be allowed to maintain its distinctiveness. That may be something the European Union as a whole has started to consider with many countries, especially those further west in the continent,” Kristrún said in an interview with RÚV following a press conference with Donald Tusk.
Kristrún added that Iceland’s special status would need to be emphasised if accession negotiations were to take place.
“Whatever the outcome of the first vote, I will respect it. And Iceland has many opportunities regardless of whether we join the European Union or not. However, I have been very clear in all my conversations with officials within the European Union and leaders in Europe that I am personally not prepared to join the European Union on just any terms. That is why one naturally insists that people respect Iceland’s distinct position, and if we embark on this journey, we need to secure a good agreement.”
Asked whether she believes people within the EU are aware of the priorities Iceland would set in potential negotiations, Kristrún said that no negotiations have begun and therefore no specific priorities have been formally presented.
“I am fully aware that the Icelandic nation approaches this issue with reservations — because of the history of this matter and because we have certain unique characteristics. We are not in mainland Europe,” she said.
She empasised that as leader of the Icelandic nation she will be communicating the following message to Brussels.
“We will not enter on just any terms. We need to consider our natural resources. We need to pay particular attention to the fisheries sector. Everyone I have spoken to is aware of this,” Kristrún said.
According to The Guardian, Iceland is considering holding the referendum on the EU accession in “the next few months,” despite it previously being rumoured to have been planned for early 2027 .
UPDATED: The article was revised to more accurately reflect Donald Tusk’s statements.
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