A day before Iceland begins negotiations for an emergency multibillion loan from Russia, a senior minister and longstanding Europhobe has said the country must consider joining the European Union to save its economy. Up to now, there has been a sizeable lobby in Iceland against joining the EU because of worries about the effects on its fishing industry. Fisheries Minister Einar Gudfinnsson told Icelandic radio on Monday: "It's no secret, I've been against membership. However, the current turmoil means we have to look at every option." A European Commission spokeswoman told Reuters news agency that she was not aware of Gudfinnsson's comments but said the EU's standard position remained that Iceland is a European country and thus entitled to apply for EU membership. "Negotiation with Iceland, theoretically speaking, could go fast because as a member of the European Economic Area, it has already adopted many EU laws," a commission official said.
Up to now, there has been a sizeable lobby in Iceland against joining the EU because of worries about the effects on its fishing industry.
Fisheries Minister Einar Gudfinnsson told Icelandic radio on Monday: "It's no secret, I've been against membership. However, the current turmoil means we have to look at every option."
A European Commission spokeswoman told Reuters news agency that she was not aware of Gudfinnsson's comments but said the EU's standard position remained that Iceland is a European country and thus entitled to apply for EU membership.
"Negotiation with Iceland, theoretically speaking, could go fast because as a member of the European Economic Area, it has already adopted many EU laws," a commission official said.
EU = safe
