Brussels, 16/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 16 July, Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur Davio Gunnlaugsson stressed after his meeting with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission, Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso, that his government was committed to “close and strong” cooperation with the EU and the member states. Iceland could withdraw from the accession process, however. Gunnlaugsson reiterated the “resolve of Iceland and the EU to continue to build on the close and fruitful cooperation that we have had for decades”. “We agree on the importance of cooperation but we are waiting to see what form this cooperation will take”, he added. A report will be presented to the Icelandic parliament in the autumn on the state of progress of the accession negotiations, on relations between Iceland and the EU - “not only over these last four or five years but also in the future” - and on the development of the EU (see EUROPE 10867).
Gunnlaugsson stated that the decision on the date of the referendum on the accession process “has not yet been taken”, and that the next stage is the presentation of the report. Barroso hoped that the debate might provide clear indications on the way forward, stating that he is ready to discuss further with the Icelandic government to see how to develop this way of working together.
EU calls for a decision “without delay”. Van Rompuy stressed that the EU is fully “committed to continuing and completing the accession process”, adding that “it is in our common interest to avoid a long period of uncertainty”.
“It is in the interest of the European Union and Iceland that a decision is taken on the basis of proper reflection and in an objective, transparent, serene manner. But the clock is ticking, and it is also in the shared interest of us all that this decision is taken without further delay”, Barroso stated. In his opinion, the accession negotiation process could address Iceland's specificities.
Continuing to develop relations. “Our aim is to continue working for a strong relationship between the European Union and Iceland, either within or outside the accession process”, added Van Rompuy. He said that “irrespective of the accession issue, the European Union remains ready to strengthen and build on our privileged partnership, based primarily on the European Economic Area Agreement”.
Gunnlaugsson put forward the possibilities of cooperating on the environment and the economy, especially with regard to the Arctic “which has a growing importance that requires us to work together”. In connection with the Arctic, Van Rompuy underlined the possibilities of strengthening cooperation on maritime safety, protection of the environment, research and energy. The EU and Iceland also discussed their “mackerel war” (see other article). (CG/transl.fl)