Is Iceland an EU country?

Satunnainen

Iceland is not a member of the European Union (EU). Although Iceland is geographically and culturally part of Europe, it has not joined the EU. In this article, we look at Iceland’s relationship with the EU and the reasons why the country has not joined the Union.

The relationship between Iceland and the EU

However, Iceland is closely linked to the EU through several different agreements. Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), which means that it is part of the EU’s internal market. This enables the free movement of goods, services, capital and people between Iceland and the EU. In addition, Iceland is a member of the Schengen area, which means that there are no border checks between it and other Schengen countries.

History of Iceland’s EU membership

Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, but the negotiations were suspended in 2013. One of the main reasons for suspending the negotiations was Iceland’s fishing policy. Fishing is a very important livelihood for Iceland, and the country wanted to maintain full control over its own fishing waters. The EU’s common fisheries policy could have limited Iceland’s opportunities to manage its own fish resources.

Reasons why Iceland has not joined the EU

Several factors influence Iceland’s decision not to join the EU:

  • Fishing policy: As mentioned, fishing is a vital livelihood for Iceland, and the country wants to maintain full control over its own fishing waters.
  • Economic independence: Iceland values ​​its economic independence and wants to avoid possible restrictions of EU economic policy.
  • National identity: Iceland has a strong national identity, and many Icelanders feel that EU membership could threaten this identity.
  • Political climate: Iceland’s political climate has been cautious about EU membership, and many politicians and citizens are skeptical about the benefits of membership.

Future prospects

Although Iceland is not currently a member of the EU, it does not mean that membership is completely excluded in the future. The political and economic situation may change, and Iceland may reconsider membership if circumstances change. For now, however, the country continues to cooperate closely with the EU through the EEA agreement and other forms of cooperation.

You can read more about the relations between Iceland and the EU, for example, on the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) website and < a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/iceland_en" target=_blank>From the website of the European Commission.

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