Brussels, 11/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The accession negotiations with Iceland are progressing well with a good overall level of alignment with the acquis communautaire, the European Commission announced on Wednesday 10 October. In its 2012 progress report, it recalls that membership of the EU remains an issue of lively public debate in Iceland, and the Commission is convinced that the EU will be able to present a package for the negotiations which takes Iceland's specificities into account in order to allow the Icelandic people to make a fully informed decision.
Iceland continues to fulfil the political criteria with strong institutions, a high level judicial system and the respect of human rights. It also has a viable market economy. However the Commission noted shortcomings at the level of financial services, agriculture, fisheries and the free movement of capital. (CG/transl.fl)