On 29 August, Icelanders will decided in a referendum whether accession negotiations with the European Union, which were suspended in 2013, should be resumed. Dr Damian Szacawa, Head of the Nordic-Baltic Team at the Institute of Central Europe, spoke on Radio ZET about the significance of the referendum and the role of security in the debate over Iceland’s future.
The IEŚ expert pointed out that one of the key issues remains fisheries, which are of major importance to Iceland’s economy and national identity. At the same time, security is playing an increasingly important role in the debate – particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine, the growing importance of the Arctic, and Iceland’s strategic location.
“Icelanders strongly emphasise that if a conflict breaks out in continental Europe, Iceland will be drawn into it. This is a completely different perspective for them from that of the past 30–40 years, roughly the period since the end of the Cold War,” said Dr Szacawa.
The expert also stressed that a possible resumption of negotiations would not automatically mean Iceland’s membership in the EU. Iceland is already closely integrated with the Union through the European Economic Area and the Shengen Area.
The interview with Dr Damian Szacawa was published on the Radio ZET website: Another country in the EU? They will decide whether to resume talks with Brussels. Expert explains why now
Dr Damian Szacawa discusses Iceland’s future in the EU on Radio ZET