Brussels, Belgium (News Today) - European Union foreign ministers have formally given a green light for negotiations to begin over Iceland's bid for membership of the 27-country bloc.
The ministers agreed to start the talks on Tuesday this week but acknowledged that a lack of domestic support for the move could be a potential obstacle that would have to be overcome.
"Popular opinions have to be taken on board, and you have to communicate the value (of joining)," said Steven Vanackere, Belgium's foreign minister. According to one poll this month, public opposition to joining the EU has risen to about 60 per cent from about 54 per cent in November last year.
Another key issue will be financial services, and there will be pressure on Iceland to compensate the UK and the Netherlands for losses suffered by investors in Icesave, the failed online bank.
"It's clear that all the chapters need to be discussed ... When the last chapter isn't resolved, nothing is resolved," said Mr Vanackere, when asked if the Icesave debacle could be a deal-breaker.
Environmental issues -- and whaling, in particular -- could also be contentious, with prevailing domestic views in Iceland at odds with equally strongly held views in many EU countries.
"It's clear that things might go smoothly on a number of subjects, but others might be difficult," said Mr Vanackere.
Source : CNN
Saturday, July 31, 2010
EU gives go-ahead for Iceland entry talks
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