Iceland–European Union relations explained

Iceland is heavily integrated into the European Union via the Agreement on the European Economic Area and the Schengen Agreement, despite its status as a non-EU member state. Iceland applied for membership in 2009. The Minister for Foreign Affairs sent a letter in 2015 that ended the application process.

Comparison

Iceland
Population447,206,135[1] 364,134
Area4324782km2[2] 102,775 km2 (39,682 sq mi)
Population density115/km2 (300/sq mi)3.5/km2 (9.1/sq mi)
CapitalBrussels (de facto)Reykjavík
Global cities[3] Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna, WarsawNone
GovernmentSupranational parliamentary democracy based on the European treaties[4] Unitary parliamentary republic
Current leaders
Official languages24 official languages, of which 3 considered "procedural" (English, French and German)[5] Icelandic
Main religions
  • 63.47% Church of Iceland (Protestant)
  • 2.75% Free Lutheran Church in Reykjavík
  • 1.98% Free Lutheran Church in Hafnarfjörður
  • 0.89% Independent Lutheran Congregation
  • 4.02% Catholic Church
  • 2.05% Other Christian denominations
  • 1.31% Icelandic: italic=no|[[Ásatrúarfélagið]]
  • 0.96% Zuism
  • 0.42% Buddhism
  • 0.35% Islam
  • 14.30% Other and unspecified
  • 7.17% Unaffiliated
Ethnic groups
  • Germans (c. 83 million),[6]
  • French (c. 67 million)
  • Italians (c. 60 million)
  • Spanish (c. 47 million)
  • Poles (c. 46 million)
  • Romanians (c. 16 million)
  • Dutch (c. 13 million)
  • Greek (c. 11 million)
  • Portuguese (c. 11 million)
  • and others
GDP (nominal)$16.477 trillion, $31,801 per capita$27 billion, $75,700 per capita

Integration

Iceland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), a grouping of four non-EU European countries, and is also part of the European Economic Area (EEA). Through the EEA, Iceland participates with a non-voting status in certain EU agencies and programmes, including enterprise, environment, education (including the Erasmus Programme) and research programs. Iceland also contributes funds to "social and economic cohesion" in the EU/EEA.[7] Iceland also frequently consults the EU on foreign affairs and frequently aligns itself to EU foreign policy. Iceland also participates in EU civilian peacekeeping missions.[8]

Iceland is a member of the Nordic Passport Union[7] and the Schengen Area, which now is under EU law, as a non-voting participant. Iceland's participation in the Schengen Area allows free movement of people between Iceland and the rest of the Schengen Area. Several thousand Icelanders travel to and study or work in the EU. A large majority of foreigners in Iceland come from the EU.[8] Iceland is also associated with the Dublin Convention on justice and home affairs cooperation. Iceland also has links to several EU member states through its membership of the Nordic Council.

Use of the euro

During the 2008–2011 Icelandic financial crisis, instability in the Icelandic króna led to discussion in Iceland about adopting the euro. However, Jürgen Stark, a Member of the executive board of the European Central Bank, has stated that "Iceland would not be able to adopt the EU currency without first becoming a member of the EU".[9] As of the ECB's May 2012 convergence report, Iceland did not meet any of the convergence criteria.[10] One year later, the country managed to comply with the deficit criteria and had begun to decrease its debt-to-GDP ratio,[11] but still suffered from elevated HICP inflation and long-term governmental interest rates.[12] [13]

Explanations for Iceland's non-membership of the European Union

Academics have proposed several explanations for why Iceland has not joined the European Union:

Trade relations

See also: economy of Iceland.

Economic relations between Iceland and the European Union are primarily governed by two agreements: a bilateral free trade agreement signed in 1972, and the agreement on the EEA in 1994. The EEA was established to give Iceland, among other European countries outside the EU, access to the EU market. Iceland's access to the EU market in respect of agriculture and fisheries is dealt with by separate bilateral agreements. Iceland is legally bound to implement into its own law all EU directives applicable to the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital. This is complemented by regular meetings between EU and Icelandic officials, including a twice-yearly meeting of EEA foreign ministers.[7] [19]

+Icelandic-European trade[20]
Direction of tradeGoods (2016)Services (2016)Investment (2016)
EU to Iceland€2.9 billion€1.4 billion€8.5 billion
Iceland to EU€3.6 billion€1.2 billion€-0.8 billion

78% of Iceland's exports went to the EU and 52% of Iceland's imports came from it, making the EU Iceland's most important trading partner, followed by Norway. Traditionally, Iceland's economy has focused on fisheries and renewable energy (primarily hydroelectricity and geothermal energy - see energy in Iceland for more details), but it has been diversifying into aluminium production, pharmaceuticals, information technologies, tourism and the financial sector. Iceland is still a large exporter of fish (the third largest exporter to the EU after Norway and China) with a world trade surplus of €1.1 billion in 2008. In fisheries, the EU had a 2009 trade deficit of €879 million. Until Iceland's 2009 financial crisis, its commercial services sector had been growing rapidly, accounting for almost 35% of total exports (goods and services combined).[19]

Accession of Iceland to the European Union

Status:Application frozen
Nation:Iceland
National Denonym:Icelandic
Map:European Union Iceland Locator.svg
Chapters Opened:27
Chapters Closed:11
National Gdp Ppp:12,664
National Gdp Ppp Per Capita:52,490
National Area Total:103,001
National Population:319,756
Website:eu.mfa.is

Iceland applied to join the European Union on 16 July 2009 and formal negotiations began on 27 July 2010.[21] However, on 13 September 2013 the Government of Iceland dissolved its accession team and suspended its application to join the EU. On 12 March 2015, Foreign Minister of Iceland Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson stated that he had sent a letter to the EU withdrawing the application for membership, without the approval of the Althing, though the European Union stated that Iceland had not formally withdrawn the application.[22]

If negotiations were to resume, Iceland would face controversial issues on fisheries which could potentially derail an agreement, despite already being a member of the European Economic Area (which excludes fishery). If an agreement were to be concluded, the accession treaty would be subject to a national referendum in Iceland and require ratification by every EU state.[23]

Pre-2008 opinion

From 1995 to 2007 the government coalition of the conservative Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) and the conservative Progressive Party (Framsóknarflokkurinn), opposed joining the EU, while the opposition Social Democratic Alliance (Samfylkingin) supported membership negotiations. In 1994, the Social Democratic Party (Alþýðuflokkurinn) became the first Icelandic political party to include the intention to apply to join the EU in its policy statement.[24] Despite this hostility towards EU membership, the Independence Party was forced to accept some of the constraints associated with participation in the European project. Iceland sought shelter provided by the EEA, EFTA and Schengen because non-membership of the EEA and EFTA would have threatened its key economic interests, and non-membership of Schengen would have imposed burdens on Icelandic individuals.

Former Prime Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson predicted on 8 February 2006 that the country would join the EU by 2015. He added that the decisive factor would be the future and the size of the Eurozone, especially whether Denmark, Sweden and the UK would have adopted the euro or not.[25] His prediction received some criticism, not the least from people within his own government.[26]

Another former Prime Minister, Geir H. Haarde, has on a number of occasions stated his opposition to EU membership, both as Foreign Minister under Halldór Ásgrímsson and after taking office as Prime Minister. In response to Halldór Ásgrímsson's earlier prediction, Haarde said, "I don't share that point of view. Our policy is not to join in the foreseeable future. We are not even exploring membership." In a speech at a conference at the University of Iceland on 31 March 2006, Geir Haarde repeated what he had said on a number of occasions—that no special Icelandic interests demanded membership of the EU. In the same speech he further explained in detail why it would not be in the interest of Iceland to adopt the euro.[27]

Following the 2007 election, the Independence Party and the Social Democratic Alliance formed a new coalition with a policy of not applying for membership, but setting up a special committee to monitor the development within the EU and suggest ways to respond to that.[28]

Due to Iceland's limited currency, the government has explored the possibility of adopting the euro without joining the European Union. The EU, however, says that Iceland cannot join the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) without becoming a full EU member state (all other non-EU states that use the euro do so because they previously used a member state currency that was replaced by the euro).

Effect of 2008 financial crisis

See also: 2008–2011 Icelandic financial crisis.

At a meeting of members of his party on 17 May 2008, Geir Haarde said that in his opinion the cost of joining the EU outweighed the benefits, and therefore he was not in favour of membership.[29] However, in October 2008, during talks to repatriate a portion of Iceland's foreign invested pension funds—Iceland having been particularly hard hit by the financial crisis of September 2008—the unions demanded that Iceland apply for EU membership in return for wage restraint.[30]

On 30 October 2008, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, minister of education, said that "Iceland has to define its long-term national interests and part of that is a revision of the currency regime, including a possible EU application" and that an application for membership needed to be discussed "in weeks rather than months".[31]

Two weeks later, on 17 November 2008, the Independence Party announced it would hold its party congress in January 2009 instead of Autumn 2009, to reconsider the possibility of applying for EU membership; the Progressive Party also announced it would hold its party congress in January, after two anti-EU MPs (including the party leader) resigned and were replaced by MPs more positive towards EU application.[32]

The Progressive Party accepted at its congress to support application for EU membership but with very strict conditions including one demanding full authority for Iceland over its fishing grounds and other national resources.[33] When the government headed by the Independence Party was dissolved in January the party decided to postpone its congress until March. The congress eventually decided on an unchanged opposition to EU membership but also claimed that if the issue were opened by others both an application and an initial accession treaty with the EU should be put to a referendum.[34]

The US denied Iceland's financial request for financial support after the 2008 economic crash. Iceland turned to the EU for assistance, but they also turned Iceland's request for aid down. This seriously damaged the efforts of the Europhiles in Iceland to sell the EU as a shelter provider to Iceland. The Europhiles mainly focused on the potential economic benefits of EU membership and the adoption of the euro, emphasizing the benefits of cheaper goods for consumers and enterprises, and access to aid from the EU structural funds for rural areas, agriculture and the tourism industry. There was, however, no mention of the EU as a soft security shelter provider. After a speedy economic recovery and considerable domestic opposition to membership, the application was put on hold in 2013. At present, the Icelandic government does not regard the country as a candidate to join the EU, though it has not withdrawn its membership application. Iceland's membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Schengen provide Iceland with partial political, economic and societal shelter but it is secondary to formal membership of the EU. Iceland's membership of the EU is unlikely to materialize in the present domestic and European environment. A dramatic change is needed to alter Iceland's present European policy. Domestic features of each and every state need to be taken into consideration in order to fully understand its calculations of cost and benefits of a potential shelter relationship.[35]

2009 election and parliamentary debate

Iceland's finance minister, Steingrímur J. Sigfússon, ahead of the country's first elections since the financial crisis, stated that "any decision for Iceland to join the European Union and the single currency must be taken by its people, not one political party", on the subject that the issue of EU membership was the greatest threat to a stable coalition.[36]

The 2009 election, which followed the financial crisis, saw the Progressive Party switch to supporting EU membership but the Independence Party called for a referendum prior to the start of negotiations.[37] [38] [39] The Social Democratic Alliance made joining the EU a key issue in their campaign.[40]

After the win of the pro-EU Social Democratic Alliance in the election, Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir spoke of an immediate application to the European Union and adoption of the euro within four years as a way to deal with the country's debt.[41]

In late April 2009, it was announced that the United Kingdom, which at the time was a member state of the European Union with whom Iceland has had a long history of fishing and territorial water disputes, supported Iceland joining the EU.[42]

In early May 2009, it was leaked that the issue of application for EU membership would likely be left to the parliament, in which the Alliance, the Progressive Party and the Citizens' Movement together already had enough seats to approve the application.[43] Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, the leader of the Progressive Party, strongly objected to the suggestion that his party would assist the government in this matter, however.[44] The anti-EU Left-Green coalition partner accepted that in spring 2010, the minister for foreign affairs would present to the parliament a bill on talks with the EU.[45]

On 10 May 2009, Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir announced that the government intended to move towards membership more quickly than previously expected. She announced that a bill would be introduced in parliament on 15 May 2009, authorising the opening of accession talks with the EU. She also stated that she was confident that the legislation would pass, and that she had secured a parliamentary majority on the issue, despite the official opposition to talks by one of her coalition partners. She went on to say that she expected an official application to be submitted no later than July 2009. This seemed to leave Iceland on course to join the EU along with Croatia in 2011, as predicted by EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn. The government has stated that the issue will be put to a vote once an accession agreement has been negotiated.[46]

The motion to file an application for membership was officially introduced in parliament on 25 May 2009.[47] [48] Voting was to have been held on 13 July, but was postponed until 16 July.[49] [50] [51] First, a proposal by the Independence Party to hold a referendum on the membership application was defeated by 32 to 30 with one abstention. Then the Social Democratic Alliance's proposal to apply for membership immediately was approved with a narrow majority of 33 to 28 votes with 2 abstentions.[52]

Application for membership

To become a member, a country must first apply and then be recognised as a candidate country. For that to happen the country must satisfy the first of the Copenhagen criteria: it must be a politically stable democracy that respects human rights. Then negotiations will take place which will consider the country's fulfilment of economic criteria, the country's degree of adoption of EU legislation, and whether there shall be any exceptions.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn claimed that negotiations on an accession treaty would take less than a year, because Iceland had already adopted two-thirds of EU legislation[53] in relation to the EEA.[54] He had on other occasions claimed that the negotiations could take up to four years.[55]

On 30 January 2009, Rehn commented that Iceland could enter the European Union promptly in 2011, at the same time as Croatia, saying that Iceland is an old democracy but also that it should not get special treatment. Fishing quotas and Icelandic whaling may be the toughest issues in any such negotiations.[56]

On 16 July 2009, the Althing voted in favour of accession talks with the EU (with 33 votes in favour, 28 against, and 2 abstentions).[57] The head of the parliamentary committee on EU affairs, Árni Þór Sigurðsson, stated that Iceland would not be ready to join the EU any earlier than 2013.[58] However the government stated that it planned to complete negotiations by the end of 2010.[59]

On 17 July 2009, the application for Icelandic membership of the EU was handed to the government of Sweden, which then held the presidency of the Council of the European Union, by the ambassador of Iceland in Stockholm.[60] The application was again handed over by the Icelandic foreign minister to the Swedish one in a ceremony in Stockholm on 23 July 2009.[61]

The letter of application was dated 16 July 2009.[62] The application was acknowledged by the Council of the European Union on 27 July 2009.[63]

Accession negotiations

Sweden, then holder of the EU presidency, announced that it would prioritise Iceland's EU accession process.[64] On 24 July, the Lithuanian Parliament unanimously approved and gave full support for Iceland's membership application to join the European Union.[65] Later, on 27 July, Malta also announced that it supports Iceland's EU bid.[66]

In September 2009, the Spanish foreign minister visited Iceland to discuss the progress of the Icelandic application; Spain chaired the EU from January–June 2010. On 8 September, the EU commission sent a list of 2,500 questions to Iceland about its fulfilment of political and economic criteria and adoption of EU law. Iceland returned answers to them on 22 October 2009.[67] On 2 November, Iceland selected a chief negotiator for the membership negotiations with the EU: Stefán Haukur Jóhannesson, Iceland's Ambassador to Belgium.[68]

In January 2010 the Icesave dispute became an issue. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands want the Icelandic government to repay them the costs incurred in covering their citizens' losses due to the bankruptcy of some Icelandic banks. If Iceland does not pay, obstacles to membership could be laid by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. If Iceland agrees to repay the UK and the Netherlands, the added debt will make it difficult to adopt the euro, a major reason for Iceland to join the EU, because of the convergence criteria. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos, who then held the Presidency of the European Union, has said that the Icesave dispute does not impact Iceland's application.[69] David Miliband, then British Foreign Minister, reaffirmed the UK's continued support for Iceland's EU application.[69] Additionally, the Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen has stated that while the opening of negotiations will not be blocked by the Icesave dispute, it must be resolved before Iceland's accession.[70]

In February 2010, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy recommended to the Council of the European Union to start accession negotiations with Iceland.[71] While it was expected that Iceland would be considered for official candidate status at the EU summit in March, this was delayed to allow the German national parliament, which has the authority to debate important EU policy such as enlargement before action is taken by the government, to consider the matter.[72] The German Parliament voted in favour of opening membership negotiations on 22 April 2010.[73] The European Council decided in June to begin negotiations,[74] and on 17 June 2010, the EU granted official candidate status to Iceland by formally approving the opening of membership talks.[75]

Negotiations for membership of the EU started on 27 July 2010,[76] with screening of specific acquis chapters beginning on 15 November 2010.[77] Iceland became eligible for pre-accession funding from the EU through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) since July 2010.[78]

The first annual report on negotiations was published in November 2010:[79] the main issues at stake remained the fisheries sector and whale hunting, while progress has been made concerning the Icesave dispute.[80]

The screening process ended and formal negotiations began on 27 June 2011. Four chapters were opened: science and research; education and culture; public procurement; information society and media. The first two were immediately closed, a first in accession history. Iceland aimed to open half of the remaining chapters under the Polish presidency (the second half of 2011) and the other half under the following Danish presidency (first half of 2012). Despite disputes over Icesave and fishing, and the fact there was then no majority in favour of membership in Iceland, Icelandic Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson was confident Iceland would join and looked to the EU's flexibility in negotiations with Norway during the 1990s as hope. He did however claim that ultimately it was the major fishing countries of the EU who would influence the outcome of the application.[81]

In February 2013, the Icelandic chief negotiator stated that the main driving force for Iceland joining the EU was the benefit to the country of adopting the euro to replace the inflation-plagued Icelandic króna. Iceland's HICP inflation and related long-term government interest rates were both recorded to be around 6 per cent on average for 2012. Most importantly, however, while the country retained the Icelandic kronur, it was unable to lift the capital controls recently introduced in the turmoil of the economic crisis. Introduction of the euro, a far stronger currency, would allow the country to lift these capital controls and achieve an increased inward flow of foreign economic capital, which ultimately would ensure higher and more stable economic growth. To be eligible to adopt the euro, Iceland would need to join the EU, as unilateral euro adoption had previously been refused by the EU.[82]

2013 election and withdrawal of application

The Icelandic Parliamentary committee on foreign affairs tabled a proposal on 18 December 2012 to suspend accession negotiations. The motion also called for an "application referendum" to be held to determine the will of the Icelandic people prior to any resumption of negotiations.[83] A similar proposal was submitted to the Icelandic parliament in May 2012, but was rejected by a vote of 25 for and 34 against.[84] The Icelandic parliament had yet to vote on the new proposal, which were supported primarily at the time by the opposition Independence Party and Progressive Party.[85] The leaders of both governing parties, the Social Democratic Alliance and Left-Green Movement, stated that they did not support the motion.[86] However, some MPs from the Left-Green Movement declared their support for the measure.[87] On 10 January 2013, the proposal was formally adopted by the Foreign Affairs committee.[88]

On 14 January, the Icelandic government announced that negotiations would be slowed, and that an accession agreement would not be reached before the parliamentary election in April.[89] No new chapters would be opened prior to the election, though negotiations would continue on chapters that had already been opened.[90] In February 2013, the national congress of both the Independence Party and Progressive Party reconfirmed their policy that further membership negotiations with the EU should be stopped and not resumed unless they are first approved by a national referendum,[91] [92] while the national congresses of the Social Democratic Alliance, Bright Future and Left-Green Movement reiterated their support for the completion of EU accession negotiations.[93]

On 19 March 2013, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, an Independence Party MP, put forward a motion in the Althing calling for a referendum asking the Icelandic public whether EU accession negotiations should continue. She proposed that the referendum be held during the upcoming parliamentary election in April if possible, or else during local elections in the spring of 2014.[94] In response to Gunnarsdóttir and other proponents of EU integration within the Independence Party, Bjarni Benediktsson, the leader of the party, reiterated the party's policy of stopping negotiations with the EU, but promised to hold a referendum on continuing the negotiations in the first half of their term if they form government.[95] [96] [97]

The ruling left-wing parties suffered a major defeat in the parliamentary elections that were held on 27 April 2013, while the centrist Progressive Party had a large victory. The leaders of the Progressive Party and the Independence Party began negotiating the formation of a coalition government, and on 22 May it was announced that a coalition platform had been agreed to that would suspend all accession talks with the EU and not resume them unless approved by a referendum.[98] However, under Icelandic law, it is not the Government but the Icelandic Parliament which decides to end negotiations.[99] On 13 June, Iceland's Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson informed the European Commission that the newly elected government intended to "put negotiations on hold".[100] European Commission President Manuel Barroso responded on 16 July 2013 by requesting that the new Icelandic Prime Minister make a decision on the continuation of their accession bid "without further delay", and stressed that the EU remained "committed to continue the accession negotiations process, which I'm certain could address Iceland's specificities".[101]

In August 2013 the Icelandic government revealed that it had received a legal opinion that the 2009 Parliamentary vote did not oblige it to continue accession negotiations with the EU. In light of this, the Foreign Ministry stated that it had "decided to consider dissolving the negotiation committee".[102] A few weeks later the committee was officially dissolved. Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson said that "the process has been suspended. But nothing has been closed down."[103] In October 2013 Benediktsson stated that no decision on ending Iceland's membership bid would be made until a report being prepared by the government on negotiations and "the recent changes within the union" was completed, expected to be by the end of 2013. Benediktsson went on to say that "we will see if a proposal will be put before the parliament or not."[104] On 12 March 2015, Foreign Minister of Iceland Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson stated that he had sent a letter to the EU withdrawing the application for membership, without the approval of the Althing, though the European Union stated that Iceland had not formally withdrawn the application.[22] [105]

In 2017, Iceland's newly elected government announced that it would hold a vote in parliament on whether to hold a referendum on resuming EU membership negotiations.[106] [107] However, in November 2017 that government was replaced by a coalition of the Independence Party, the Left Green Movement and the Progressive Party; all of whom oppose membership. Only 11 out of 63 MPs are in favour of EU membership.[108]

There was a renewed call in 2022 for a referendum on resuming EU membership negotiations.[109]

Timeline

EU affiliation ahead of membership application

EU membership application and the preparational phase

EU membership negotiations

Negotiation progress

Acquis chapterEC assessment (2012)[120] Screening startedScreening completedChapter openedChapter closed
1. Free movement of goodsGenerally already applies the acquis2010-12-072010-12-08[121] 2012-12-18[122]
2. Freedom of movement for workersGenerally already applies the acquis2011-02-092011-02-09[123] 2011-10-192011-10-19
3. Right of establishment & freedom to provide servicesGenerally already applies the acquis2010-12-09
4. Free movement of capitalSome level of preparation2010-12-102010-12-10
5. Public procurementGenerally already applies the acquis2010-11-152010-11-15[124] 2011-06-27[125]
6. Company lawGenerally already applies the acquis2010-11-162010-11-16[126] 2011-12-122011-12-12
7. Intellectual property lawGenerally already applies the acquis2010-12-202010-12-20[127] 2011-10-192011-10-19
8. Competition policyGenerally already applies the acquis2010-12-062010-12-06[128] 2012-03-30[129] 2012-12-18
9. Financial servicesGenerally already applies the acquis2010-11-182010-12-15[130] 2012-10-24[131]
10. Information society & mediaGenerally already applies the acquis2010-11-172010-11-17[132] 2011-06-27
11. Agriculture & rural developmentEarly stage2010-11-302011-01-27[133]
12. Food safety, veterinary & phytosanitary policyModerately prepared2011-02-142011-03-31[134]
13. FisheriesSome level of preparation2010-12-162011-03-02[135]
14. Transport policyGood level of preparation2011-05-042011-06-092012-06-22[136]
15. EnergyModerately prepared2011-05-122011-06-20[137] 2012-03-30
16. TaxationModerately prepared2011-02-032011-03-04[138] 2012-12-18
17. Economic & monetary policyGenerally already applies the acquis2011-03-172011-05-17[139] 2012-12-18
18. StatisticsModerately prepared2011-05-022011-06-072012-10-24
19. Social policy & employmentGenerally already applies the acquis2011-02-072011-03-16[140] 2012-06-22
20. Enterprise & industrial policyGenerally already applies the acquis2011-04-122011-05-25[141] 2011-12-122011-12-12
21. Trans-European networksGenerally already applies the acquis2011-05-062011-06-102011-12-122011-12-12
22. Regional policy & coordination of structural instrumentsGood level of preparation2011-01-312011-02-22[142] 2012-12-18
23. Judiciary & fundamental rightsGenerally already applies the acquis2011-01-112011-02-11[143] 2011-12-122011-12-12
24. Justice, freedom & securityGood level of preparation2011-04-142011-05-24
25. Science & researchGenerally already applies the acquis2010-11-252011-01-14[144] 2011-06-272011-06-27
26. Education & cultureGenerally already applies the acquis2010-11-262011-01-14[145] 2011-06-272011-06-27
27. EnvironmentGood level of preparation2010-11-222011-01-19[146] 2012-12-18
28. Consumer & health protectionGenerally already applies the acquis2011-04-112011-05-16[147] 2012-03-302012-03-30
29. Customs unionGood level of preparation2011-03-082011-04-06[148] 2012-10-24
30. External relationsGenerally already applies the acquis2011-04-082011-05-19[149] 2012-12-18
31. Foreign, security & defence policyGenerally already applies the acquis2011-04-072011-05-202012-03-302012-03-30
32. Financial controlModerately prepared2010-11-292011-02-022012-06-22
33. Financial & budgetary provisionsGood level of preparation2011-03-072011-04-04[150] 2011-12-12[151]
34. InstitutionsNothing to adopt
35. Other issuesNothing to adopt
Progress33 out of 33[152] 33 out of 3327 out of 3311 out of 33

The screening is a series of meetings between the commission and the applicant country examining the level of fulfilment of the EU acquis. It allows candidate countries to familiarise themselves with the acquis and it allows the commission and the member States to evaluate the degree of preparedness of candidate countries prior to negotiations.

Political parties' stances

PartyPositionMain argument as stated on party websites
Bright FutureSupports the continuation of accession negotiations and a referendum on joining the EU.[153]
Centre Party
Independence Party"The Independence Party puts forth the clear demand that the application for Iceland's membership of the European Union will be withdrawn without delay."[154]
Left-Green Movement"EU-membership would diminish the independence of Iceland even more than the EEA Agreement does and jeopardise Iceland's control over its resources."[155]
Pirate Party IcelandThe party concludes that it should not be up to politicians to decide whether Iceland joins the European Union but to the general population after transparent and informative accession talks.[156]
Progressive Party"The Progressive Party believes the interests of the country and the nation are best secured outside the EU."[157]
Reform Party[158]
Social Democratic Alliance"We want to apply for an EU-membership and start negotiations. We will seek a national unity in this matter and use the national referendum as the highest court."[159] [160]
Party!Position
GovernmentSocial Democratic Alliance
Left-Green Movement
OppositionIndependence Party
Progressive Party
The Movement
No seats in the parliamentCitizens' Movement[161]
Liberal Party[162]
Best Party
Party!Position
GovernmentProgressive Party
Independence Party
OppositionSocial Democratic Alliance
Left-Green Movement
Bright Future
Pirate Party Iceland
Reform Party
Party!Position
GovernmentIndependence Party
Reform Party
Bright Future
OppositionLeft-Green Movement
Pirate Party Iceland
Progressive Party
Social Democratic Alliance
Party!Position
GovernmentIndependence Party
Left-Green Movement
Progressive Party
OppositionSocial Democratic Alliance
Centre Party
Pirate Party Iceland
People's Party
Reform Party

Public opinion

A poll released in January 2014 found that 67.5% of Icelanders support holding a referendum on the continuation of accession negotiations.[163] On 22 February, the governing parties agreed to formally withdraw the membership application, without first holding a referendum on the matter, and submitted a bill to parliament seeking their approval to do so.[164] [165] The decision led to thousands of protesters taking to the streets outside of the Parliament buildings in Reykjavík.[166] [167] By 28 February 82% were in favour of holding the referendum.[168] More than 40,000 people (16.5% of Iceland's voters) have signed a petition demanding that the promised referendum be held.[169] [170] On 25 February, Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir, chairman of the parliamentary group of the Independence Party, announced her intention not to vote in favour of the proposal.[171] In early March, the EU ambassador to Iceland said that the country could keep its application suspended rather than having to decide between resuming negotiations or formally withdrawing the application, "but of course not for an unlimited period of time".[172] The bill was not approved before parliament's summer recess.[173]

Various polls have been taken on the public opinion of starting accession negotiations, joining the EU or adopting the euro.

DatePollerQuestionYesNoUnsure
May 1999DV[174] Start negotiations 57,1%27,7%15,2%
March 2002Capacent-Gallup[175] Start negotiations91%5%4%
Join57%25%23%
Adopt Euro66%33%12%
August 2005Capacent-Gallup[176] Start negotiations55%37%8%
Join43%37%20%
Adopt Euro37%54%9%
February 2006Fréttablaðið[177] Join34%42%24%
September 2007Capacent-Gallup[178] Start negotiations59%26%15%
Join48%34%18%
Adopt Euro53%37%10%
February 2008Fréttablaðið[179] Join55.1%44.9%
More reasons than last year54.7%7.3%38.1%
18 October 2008Capacent Gallup[180] Referendum on application70%17.5%12.5%
24 November 2008Fréttablaðið[181] Submit application60%40%
January 2009Capacent Gallup[182] Join38%38%24%
26 January 2009Fréttablaðið[183] Submit application40%60%
March 2009[184] Start negotiations64%28%8%
11 April 2009Fréttablaðið[185] Submit application45.6%54.4%0%
5 May 2009Capacent Gallup[186] Start negotiations61%27%12%
Join39%39%22%
10 June 2009Capacent Gallup[187] Referendum on application76.3%17.8%5.8%
30 July 2009Fréttablaðið[188] Start negotiations51%36%13%
4 August 2009Capacent Gallup[189] Join34.7%48.5%16.9%
15 September 2009Capacent Gallup[190] Join32.7%50.2%17%
If referendum now, how would you vote[191] 38.5%61.5%0%
Happy with application?39.6%43.2%17.1%
5 November 2009Bifröst University Research Institute[192] [193] Join29.0%54%17%
Start negotiations50.5%42.5%7%
28 February 2010Capacent Gallup[194] Join33.3%55.9%10.8%
5 March 2010Capacent Gallup[195] Join24.4%60%15.5%
If referendum now, how would you vote30.5%69.4%0%
14 June 2010MMR[196] Maintain EU application24.3%57.6%18.1%
6 July 2010Capacent Gallup[197] Join26%60%14%
2 September 2010Capacent Gallup[198] Start negotiations38.8%45.5%15.7%
29 September 2010Fréttablaðið[199] Continue with negotiations64.2%32.8%3%
24 January 2011Fréttablaðið[200] Continue with negotiations65.4%34.6%0%
10 March 2011Capacent Gallup[201] Join31.4%50.5%18%
If referendum now, how would you vote38.9%61.1%0%
17 March 2011MMR[202] Join30%55.7%14.2%
16 June 2011Capacent Gallup[203] Join37.3%50.1%12.6%
30 June 2011Capacent Gallup[204] Maintain EU application38.5%51.0%10.5%
11 August 2011Capacent Gallup[205] Join35.5%64.5%0%
12 September 2011Fréttablaðið[206] Continue with negotiations63.4%36.6%0%
16 November 2011MMR[207] Maintain EU application35.3%50.5%14.2%
17 November 2011Capacent Gallup[208] Continue with negotiations53.1%46.9%0%
12 December 2011Fréttablaðið[209] Continue with negotiations65.3%34.7%0%
19 January 2012Capacent Gallup[210] Join31.5%53.5%15%
19 January 2012MMR[211] Adopt Euro28%52%20%
22 February 2012Capacent Gallup[212] Join26.3%56.2%17.5%
If referendum now, how would you vote32.6%67.4%0%
Maintain EU application42.6%43.6%13.9%
27 April 2012University of Iceland[213] Join27.5%53.8%18.7%
15 October 2012Capacent Gallup[214] Join27.3%57.6%15.0%
12 November 2012Capacent Gallup[215] Maintain EU application36.4%53.5%9.9%
18 January 2013Fréttablaðið[216] Continue with negotiations48.5%36.4%15%
13 February 2013MMR[217] Join24.2%63.3%12.5%
6 March 2013Capacent Gallup[218] Join25.1%58.5%16.5%
If referendum now, how would you vote30%70%0%
Maintain EU application43.5%44.6%11.9%
15 March 2013Capacent Gallup[219] Continue and complete negotiations54%35%11%
23 April 2013University of Iceland[220] Join27.6%52.2%20.2%
Continue with negotiations52.7%30.7%16.5%
5 March 2014Capacent Gallup[221] Join37%47%16%
Hold referendum on resuming negotiations72%21%7%
February 2016 Gallup[222] Join 40.9% 59.1%
Resume negotiations 45.4% 40.3%
September 2016 MMR[223] Join 28.2% 50.6%
November 2016 MMR Join 20.9% 57.8% 21.3%
February 2017 MMR[224] Join 25.9% 54% 20.1%
12–26 March 2019 Maskína[225] Join 31.6% 43.0% 25.4%
30 January–3 February 2020 Maskína[226] Join 31.4% 39.4% 29.3%
21 January–1 February 2021 Maskína[227] Join 30% 42% 29%
March 2022 Gallup[228] Join 47% 33% 20%
June 2022 Prósent[229] Join 48.5% 34.9% 16.7%
November 2022 Prósent[230] Join 42.8% 35.1% 22.1%
December 2022 Maskína[231] Hold referendum on resuming negotiations 47.9% 24.4% 27.5%
3–7 February 2023 Maskína[232] Join 40.8% 35.9% 23.3%
24–28 April 2023 Maskína[233] Hold referendum on resuming negotiations 59% 18% 23%
Join 44% 34% 22%
17–22 August 2023 Maskína[234] Hold referendum on resuming negotiations 57% 19% 24%
Join 40% 33% 27%
13–20 June 2024 Maskína[235] Join 42.4% 35.7% 21.9%

Comparison with EU countries

If Iceland were admitted to the EU, it would be the smallest member state in terms of population. Its area (103,000 km2) is somewhat close to the average for EU countries (165,048 km2), but it would be the least densely populated country in the EU. The table below shows its population and population density in comparison to some of the other member states.[236] [237]

Population figuresPopulation density
EU rankCountryPopulationEU rankCountryDensity
Iceland329,100 Iceland3.3
27 Malta519,56227 Finland18.0
26 Luxembourg562,95826 Sweden23.8
25 Cyprus847,008 25 Estonia30.3
14 Sweden (EU median)9,747,35514 Slovenia (EU median)102.4
data-sort-value="13.5" EU average18,149,682data-sort-value="13.5" EU average117.5
2 France66,415,1612 Netherlands500.7
1 Germany83,157,2011 Malta1,352.4

Iceland's GDP per capita is among the highest in Europe as is shown in the following tables:[238]

EU rankingCountryGDP per capita (PPP)
1 Luxembourg$140,694
2 Ireland$124,596
3 Denmark$69,273
4 Netherlands$68,572
5 Austria$64,751
Iceland$64,621
data-sort-value="13.5" EU average$53,201
27 Bulgaria$28,593

The Icelandic language would be one of the official languages of the EU with the least speakers in terms of native speakers (together with Irish and Maltese).

Iceland's foreign relations with EU member states

Diplomatic relations between Iceland and EU member states

scope=col Countryscope=col Icelandic embassyscope=col Reciprocal embassyscope=col class="unsortable" Notes
Copenhagen, Denmark
BrusselsOslo, NorwayIcelandic Mission to the EU and Permanent Delegation to NATO in Brussels
Reykjavík
HelsinkiReykjavík
ParisReykjavíkIcelandic Mission to OECD, UNESCO and Council of Europe
BerlinReykjavík
Paris, FranceIcelandic Permanent Mission to FAO, IFAD and WFP
WarsawReykjavíkIcelandic Embassy was opened in Warsaw in 2022
Paris, France
StockholmReykjavík

See also

Further reading

References

Notes

External links

Official websites
News Portal
Lobbyist organisations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Population on 1 January . Eurostat . . 9 March 2015 . 7 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150807053109/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&language=en&pcode=tps00001&tableSelection=1&footnotes=yes&labeling=labels&plugin=1 . live.
  2. Web site: Field Listing – Area . https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003039/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2147.html . dead . 13 June 2007 . The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 9 March 2015.
  3. Cities ranked "alpha" in 2020 by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html
  4. Web site: Archived copy . 2015-01-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150121194228/http://www.formermembers.eu/DocDownload.asp?ID=B488944A4D07060002CF . January 21, 2015 . mdy.
  5. Web site: European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Frequently asked questions on languages in Europe. europa.eu. en. 2017-06-24. 16 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201216210501/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_825. live.
  6. Web site: Population by sex and citizenship. 2020-07-22. Federal Statistical Office. en. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709143933/https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Current-Population/Tables/liste-current-population.html. live.
  7. http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iceland/index_en.htm Iceland
  8. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/iceland-in-europe/ Iceland´s home is in Europe
  9. Web site: Iceland cannot adopt the Euro without joining EU, says Stark. IceNews. 23 February 2008. 22 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121029035008/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/02/23/iceland-cannot-adopt-euro-with-joining-eu-says-stark/. 29 October 2012.
  10. Web site: Convergence Report May 2012. European Central Bank. May 2012. 20 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025114309/http://www.ecb.int/pub/pdf/conrep/cr201205en.pdf. 25 October 2012.
  11. Web site: European economic forecast – Winter 2013. European Commission. 22 February 2013. 22 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130626122101/http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2013/pdf/ee1_en.pdf. 26 June 2013.
  12. Web site: HICP (2005=100): Monthly data (12-month average rate of annual change). Eurostat. 16 August 2012. 6 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131107152952/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?query=BOOKMARK_DS-055112_QID_4B4205F9_UID_-3F171EB0&layout=TIME,C,X,0;GEO,L,Y,0;INFOTYPE,L,Z,0;COICOP,L,Z,1;INDICATORS,C,Z,2;&zSelection=DS-055112INFOTYPE,MV12R;DS-055112INDICATORS,OBS_FLAG;DS-055112COICOP,CP00;&rankName1=TIME_1_0_0_0&rankName2=INFOTYPE_1_2_-1_2&rankName3=INDICATORS_1_2_-1_2&rankName4=COICOP_1_2_-1_2&rankName5=GEO_1_2_0_1&pprRK=FIRST&pprSO=PROTOCOL&ppcRK=FIRST&ppcSO=ASC&sortC=ASC_-1_FIRST&rStp=&cStp=&rDCh=&cDCh=&rDM=true&cDM=true&footnes=false&empty=false&wai=false&time_mode=ROLLING&lang=EN&cfo=%23%23%23%2C%23%23%23.%23%23%23. 7 November 2013. dead.
  13. Web site: Long-term interest rate statistics for EU Member States (monthly data for the average of the past year). Eurostat. 18 December 2012. 9 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109060044/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?query=BOOKMARK_DS-055774_QID_43FDB340_UID_-3F171EB0&layout=TIME,C,X,0;GEO,L,Y,0;INTRT,L,Z,0;INDICATORS,C,Z,1;&zSelection=DS-055774INTRT,MCBYMOV;DS-055774INDICATORS,OBS_FLAG;&rankName1=INTRT_1_2_-1_2&rankName2=INDICATORS_1_2_-1_2&rankName3=TIME_1_0_0_0&rankName4=GEO_1_2_0_1&pprRK=FIRST&pprSO=PROTOCOL&ppcRK=FIRST&ppcSO=ASC&sortC=ASC_-1_FIRST&rStp=&cStp=&rDCh=&cDCh=&rDM=true&cDM=true&footnes=false&empty=false&wai=false&time_mode=ROLLING&lang=EN&cfo=%23%23%23%2C%23%23%23.%23%23%23. live.
  14. Book: Ingebritsen, Christine. The Nordic States and European Unity. Cornell University Press. 1998.
  15. Book: Thorhallsson, Baldur. Iceland and European Integration: On the Edge. Routledge. 2004.
  16. Book: Bergmann, Eirikur. Nordic Nationalism and Right-Wing Populist Politics. 2017-01-01. Palgrave Macmillan UK. 9781137567024. 93–124. en. 10.1057/978-1-137-56703-1_4. Iceland: Ever-Lasting Independence Struggle.
  17. Iceland: A postimperial sovereignty project. Cooperation and Conflict. 2014-03-01. 0010-8367. 33–54. 49. 1. 10.1177/0010836713514152. en. Eiríkur. Bergmann. 154972672.
  18. Book: Hálfdanarson, Guðmundur. Íslenska þjóðríkið – uppruni og endimörk. Reykjavík: Hið íslenska bókmenntafélag og ReykjavíkurAkademían. 2001.
  19. http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/bilateral-relations/countries/iceland/ Iceland
  20. http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/iceland/ Trade Policy - Iceland
  21. http://europe.mfa.is/phase1/timeline/ Timeline of events – Iceland's application for membership of the EU
  22. [RÚV]
  23. http://europe.mfa.is/phase-3---ratification-process/ratification-process/ National Referendum – Iceland's application for membership of the EU
  24. Book: Thorhallsson, Baldur. Iceland and European Integration: On the edge. limited. Routledge. 2004. 3–4. 9780415282529.
  25. Rettman, Andrew (9 February 2006). Iceland in EU by 2015, prime minister says. EU Observer.
  26. http://eunews.blogspot.com/2006/02/msson-as-good-as-alone-with-his.html Prime Minister Ásgrímsson as good as alone in his predictions
  27. http://www.teameurope.info/node/91 Slashing the rumours: Iceland is far from adopting the euro
  28. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2556758,00.html Iceland Mulls EU Membership
  29. http://www.mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2008/05/17/geir_eg_vil_ekki_ganga_i_esb Geir: Ég vil ekki ganga í ESB
  30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7653750.stm Iceland moves to shore up economy
  31. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6bae1468-a6ac-11dd-95be-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1 "Iceland sees rift over EU membership"
  32. http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16567&ew_0_a_id=315505 Independence Party to Form New Policy on EU
  33. Web site: Framsókn vill sækja um ESB-aðild með skilyrðum . Morgunblaðið . 16 January 2009 . 5 August 2009 . 17 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117020450/https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2009/01/16/framsokn_vill_saekja_um_esb_2/ . live.
  34. http://www.xd.is/?action=landsfundur_2009_nanar&id=1007 Ályktun um Evrópumál
  35. Book: Small States and Shelter Theory. Thorhallsson . Baldur . Steinsson . Sverrir. Baldur Thorhallsson. 2019. 978-1-138-61537-3. 178.
  36. Johnson, Miles (24 April 2009). Iceland minister warns on EU . Financial Times.
  37. http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/01/17/progressives-support-iceland-eu-entry/ Progressives support Iceland EU entry
  38. https://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2009/01/16/afx5933263.html Iceland Progressives vote to back EU accession talks
  39. http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238178722.13 Iceland's biggest party wants two EU referendums
  40. http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238433421.26 Icelandic parties clarify EU positions ahead of snap polls
  41. News: Iceland may join EU after left-wing victory. Totaro. Paola. 27 April 2009. 26 April 2009. The Age. https://web.archive.org/web/20090429093313/http://www.theage.com.au/world/iceland-may-join-eu-after-leftwing-victory-20090426-ajbg.html. 29 April 2009 . live.
  42. http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=21123&ew_0_a_id=323094 Britain to Help Speed up Iceland’s EU Membership
  43. Web site: Iceland prepares to launch EU accession talks | EU – European Information on Enlargement & Neighbours. EurActiv.com. 7 May 2009. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110609204342/http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/iceland-prepares-launch-eu-accession-talks/article-182098. 9 June 2011.
  44. Web site: Ísland. RÚV – Stjórnin ýti vandanum á undan sér. is. Ruv.is. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110615143207/http://www.ruv.is/heim/frettir/frett/store64/item264759. 15 June 2011.
  45. Web site: Ákvörðun um ESB í höndum þjóðarinnar – mbl.is. mbl.is
  46. News: Europe | Iceland's PM to seek vote on EU. BBC News. 10 May 2009. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20131002211010/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8043047.stm. 2 October 2013.
  47. Web site: UPDATE 1-Iceland submits proposal to parliament for EU talks - Forbes.com. Forbes.com
  48. Web site: EU accession bill reaches Iceland parliament | IceNews – Daily News. Icenews.is. 26 May 2009. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120224232708/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/05/26/eu-accession-bill-reached-iceland-parliament/. 24 February 2012.
  49. Iceland's Urgent Bid to Join the E.U. . TIME . 17 July 2009 . 17 July 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130826204642/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1911188%2C00.html . 26 August 2013 . dead.
  50. Web site: Government split puts Iceland's fast-track EU membership on hold | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 13.07.2009 . Dw-world.de . 13 July 2009 . 22 July 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090717041624/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0%2C%2C4484343%2C00.html . 17 July 2009 . dead.
  51. Web site: Iceland vote on EU bid delayed until Thursday — EUbusiness.com – business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union. Eubusiness.com. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605111950/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1247689023.31. 5 June 2011.
  52. Web site: Online. IcelandReview. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120217173954/http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16539&ew_0_a_id=336820. 17 February 2012.
  53. http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1224510426.18 Iceland could 'quickly' join the EU if requested: Commissioner
  54. Web site: Iceland's European Committee in Brussels. 29 November 2008. 23 September 2008. Iceland Review. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003005143/http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=21123&ew_0_a_id=312509. 3 October 2013.
  55. Web site: Olli Rehn um ESB-aðilt . 10 December 2008 . 20 November 2008 . Icelandic National Television . https://web.archive.org/web/20120302102110/http://dagskra.ruv.is/streaming/ras1/?file=4426381%2F1 . 2 March 2012 . dead.
  56. Web site: EU lupaa Islannille nopean jäsenyyden ilman erikoiskohtelua . 30 January 2009 . 30 January 2009 . Helsingin Sanomat . https://web.archive.org/web/20090131215952/http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/artikkeli/EU%2Blupaa%2BIslannille%2Bnopean%2Bj%C3%A4senyyden%2Bilman%2Berikoiskohtelua/1135243145000 . 31 January 2009 . live.
  57. Web site: Iceland's parliament votes in favour of EU talks. 17 July 2009. 17 July 2009. Euractiv.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20110609223142/http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/iceland-parliament-votes-favour-eu-talks/article-184202. 9 June 2011.
  58. News: Europe | Iceland moves towards joining EU. BBC News. 16 July 2009. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090716100854/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8153139.stm. 16 July 2009 . live.
  59. Web site: Iceland says ready to complete EU talks by 2011 | EU – European Information on Enlargement & Neighbours. EurActiv.com. 16 July 2009. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20110905001358/http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/iceland-ready-complete-eu-talks-2011/article-184242. 5 September 2011.
  60. Web site: Application sent to Stockholm for Iceland to join the EU | IceNews – Daily News. Icenews.is. 17 July 2009. 22 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120324110816/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/07/17/application-sent-to-stockholm-for-iceland-to-join-the-eu/. 24 March 2012.
  61. News: Iceland submits EU membership bid. BBC News. 23 July 2009. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131002212303/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8164573.stm. 2 October 2013.
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  65. Web site: Balkanson says. The Lithuanian Parliament supports Iceland's EU Membership | IceNews – Daily News. Icenews.is. 24 July 2009. 15 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120324110855/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/07/24/the-lithuanian-parliament-supports-icelands-eu-membership/. 24 March 2012.
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  71. http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/opinion-iceland_2010_en.htm Commission Opinion on Iceland's application for membership of the European Union
  72. Web site: Lisbon treaty 'delays' Iceland EU bid. theparliament.com. 18 March 2010. 12 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120220141842/http://www.theparliament.com/no_cache/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/lisbon-treaty-delays-iceland-eu-bid/. 20 February 2012.
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  74. Web site: Commission welcomes European Council's decision to open accession negotiations with Iceland . Europa.eu . 17 June 2010 . 18 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110810125650/http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP%2F10%2F759&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en . 10 August 2011 . dead.
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  78. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/943&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en EC press release
  79. http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2010/package/is_rapport_2010_en.pdf European Commission
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  91. Web site: Icelandic interests best served outside EU. is. Mbl.is. 9 February 2013. 9 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130926010954/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2013/02/09/islandi_best_borgid_utan_esb/. 26 September 2013.
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  100. Web site: Iceland's EU bid is over, commission told. Fox. Benjamin. Reuters. 16 June 2013. 16 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140326004934/http://euobserver.com/political/120501. 26 March 2014.
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  102. Web site: L'Islande s'éloigne de son projet d'adhésion à l'UE. 23 August 2013. 26 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131017112534/http://www.euractiv.com/node/529927. 17 October 2013.
  103. Web site: Iceland dissolves EU accession team. 13 September 2013. 26 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140326073329/http://euobserver.com/enlargement/121419. 26 March 2014.
  104. Web site: Iceland Reconsiders EU Snub as Government Awaits Report Findings. https://archive.today/20131017095716/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-10-16/iceland-reconsiders-eu-snub-as-government-awaits-report-findings. dead. 17 October 2013. Valdimarsson. Omar. Christie. Rebecca. 16 October 2013. 16 October 2013. Bloomberg News.
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  107. Web site: New Icelandic center-right coalition to give parliament vote on EU referendum. 2017-01-11. 2017-03-28. Reuters. 16 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200216024229/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iceland-government-idUSKBN14U1TC?il=0. live.
  108. https://euobserver.com/opinion/140228 Iceland: further from EU membership than ever
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  111. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6346 Screening process concluded
  112. Web site: Vogel. Toby. Iceland begins talks to join EU. Europeanvoice.com. 27 June 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120902082959/http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2011/june/iceland-begins-talks-to-join-eu/71466.aspx. 2 September 2012.
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  115. Web site: Third meeting of the Accession Conference with Iceland at Ministerial level (12 December 2011). 12 December 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130407065926/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/126778.pdf. 7 April 2013.
  116. Web site: Second meeting of the Accession Conference with Iceland at Deputy level (30 March 2012). 30 March 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120920004245/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/129376.pdf. 20 September 2012.
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  118. Web site: Third meeting of the Accession Conference with Iceland at deputy level (24 October 2012). 24 October 2012. 18 April 2013. 30 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121030182420/http://www.consilium.europa.eu//uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/133154.pdf. live.
  119. Web site: Fifth meeting of the Accession Conference with Iceland at Ministerial level - Six new chapters opened, one more chapter provisionally closed, substantial progress achieved (18 December 2012). 18 December 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003094852/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/134419.pdf. 3 October 2013.
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  121. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6076 End of screening meeting on Free movement of goods
  122. News: An Important Milestone in Iceland´s EU Accession Talks. 18 December 2012. Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 18 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003090826/http://eu.mfa.is/other/news/nr/7482. 3 October 2013.
  123. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6128 End of screening meeting on Freedom of Movement For Workers
  124. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6049 First screening meeting between Iceland and the EU over
  125. News: Iceland plan to join EU hinges on fisheries -minister. The Globe And Mail. 27 June 2011. 26 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120206183127/https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/27/eu-iceland-idUSLDE75Q11B20110627. 6 February 2012. Reuters.
  126. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6060 Screening meeting on Company law concluded yesterday
  127. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6087 Screening meeting on Intellectual property law concluded
  128. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6073 Screening meeting on Competition policy concluded
  129. Web site: Second meeting of the Accession Conference with Iceland at Deputy level. 30 March 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120920004245/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/129376.pdf. 20 September 2012.
  130. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6083 Screening meeting on Financial services concluded on Wednesday
  131. Web site: Elena Ralli. Iceland one step closer to the EU. Neurope.eu. 24 October 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131002172259/http://www.neurope.eu/article/iceland-one-step-closer-eu. 2 October 2013.
  132. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6061 Screening meeting on Information society and media concluded
  133. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6118 Screening meeting on Agriculture and rural development concluded
  134. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6243 Screening meeting on Food Safety concluded
  135. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6176 Screening Meeting on Fisheries Concluded
  136. Web site: Accession Conference with Iceland: three new chapters opened, progress confirmed. 22 June 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130407065935/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/131119.pdf. 7 April 2013.
  137. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6345 Screening meeting on energy concluded
  138. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6179 Screening Meeting on Taxation concluded
  139. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6308 Screening meeting on Economic and Monetary Policy concluded
  140. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6211 Screening on Social Policy and Employment Concluded
  141. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6323 Screening on enterprise and industrial policy concluded
  142. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6238 Screening on Regional Policy and Coordination of structural instrument concluded
  143. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6136 Screening meeting on Judiciary and fundamental rights concluded
  144. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6110 Screening meeting on science and research concluded
  145. Web site: Screening meeting on education and culture concluded . 2011-06-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110605061855/http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6111 . 5 June 2011 . dmy.
  146. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6115 Screening meeting on environment concluded
  147. Web site: Screening meeting on Consumer and Health Protection concluded . 2011-05-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110527233130/http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6296 . 27 May 2011 . dmy.
  148. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6252 Screening meeting on Customs Union concluded in Brussels
  149. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6319 Screening meeting on External Relations concluded
  150. http://europe.mfa.is/sidemenu/latest-news/nr/6247 Screening meeting on Financial and Budgetary Provisions concluded
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  152. Excluding chapters 34 (institutions) and 35 (other issues) since these are not legislation chapters.
  153. Web site: Ályktun stjórnar Bjartrar framtíðar nr. 1. is. https://web.archive.org/web/20131111055157/http://www.bjortframtid.is/alyktun/. 11 November 2013.
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  185. Web site: Fækkar heldur sem styðja viðræður . 12 May 2010 . http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160518034633/http://vefblod.visir.is/index.php?s=2985&p=73056 . 18 May 2016 . dead . dmy-all.
  186. http://ruv.is/heim/frettir/frett/store64/item263923/ Mikill meirihluti vill viðræður
  187. Web site: Meirihluti vill þjóðaratkvæði um aðildarumsókn. Mbl.is. 6 October 2009. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20090615120717/http://www.mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2009/06/10/meirihluti_vill_thjodaratkvaedi_um_adildarumsokn/. 15 June 2009.
  188. Web site: Majority for EU application. Visir.is. 30 July 2009. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003150222/http://www.visir.is/article/20090730/FRETTIR01/319648029/. 3 October 2013.
  189. Web site: Kirk. Lisbeth. Most Icelanders opposed to EU membership. Euobserver.com. 27 July 2009. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605120506/http://euobserver.com/9/28524. 5 June 2011.
  190. Web site: Fleiri andvígir en hlynntir ESB-aðild. Mbl.is. 15 September 2009. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20100727104907/http://www.mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2009/09/15/fleiri_andvigir_en_hlynntir_esb_adild/. 27 July 2010.
  191. Original question: Ef aðild Íslands að Evrópusambandinu (ESB) yrði borin undir þjóðaratkvæði í dag, hvernig telur þú líklegast að þú myndir greiða atkvæði?
  192. Web site: 29% vilja ganga í ESB. Mbl.is. 5 November 2009. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20091107194329/http://www.mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2009/11/05/29_prosent_vilja_ganga_i_esb/. 7 November 2009.
  193. Web site: Könnun: ESB yrði kolfellt í kosningum. Visir.is. 5 November 2009. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140225010501/http://www.visir.is/article/20091105/FRETTIR01/535643082. 25 February 2014.
  194. Web site: Gunnar Bender. Ný könnun Bændasamtakanna: Meirihluti svarenda andvígur aðild að ESB / 33% hlynntir. Pressan.is. 9 February 2011. 15 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223131729/http://www.pressan.is/Frettir/LesaFrett/ny-konnun-baendasamtakanna-meirihluti-svarenda-andvigur-adild-ad-esb--33-hlynntir. 23 February 2014.
  195. Web site: Gallup poll for SI . March 2010 . 18 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110221195416/http://www.si.is/media/althjodlegt-samstarf/almenningur_2010-02.pdf . 21 February 2011 . dead . dmy.
  196. Web site: Meirihluti vill draga umsókn um aðild til baka . Mbl.is . 14 June 2010 . 18 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100617041222/http://mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2010/06/14/meirihluti_vill_draga_umsokn_um_adild_til_baka/ . 17 June 2010 . dead.
  197. Web site: Viðhorf til Evrópusambandsaðildar Íslands. Capacent.is. 15 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003045752/http://www.capacent.is/Frettir-og-frodleikur/Frettir/Frett/2010/07/06/Vidhorf-til-Evropusambandsadildar-Islands/. 3 October 2013.
  198. Web site: Ný könnun: Stuðningur við aðildarviðræður við ESB fer vaxandin. Eyjan.is. 2 September 2010. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120306231038/http://eyjan.is/2010/09/02/ny-konnun-studningur-vid-adildarvidraedur-vid-esb-fer-vaxandi/. 6 March 2012.
  199. Web site: Most Icelanders want EU membership talks. EurActiv. 15 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110808222036/http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/most-icelanders-want-eu-membership-talks-news-498266. 8 August 2011.
  200. Web site: Meirihluti vill halda viðræðum áfram. mbl.is. 24 January 2011. 15 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025256/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/01/24/meirihluti_vill_halda_vidraedum_afram/. 23 February 2014.
  201. Web site: Si.is | Viðhorf til Evrópumála er kannað reglulega. February 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120218133647/http://www.si.is/media/althjodlegt-samstarf/Evropukonnun-feb2011.pdf. 18 February 2012.
  202. Web site: Þjóðin klofin vegna Icesave. Vb.is. 17 March 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221202631/http://www.vb.is/frett/62083/. 21 February 2014.
  203. Web site: 57,3% segjast andvíg ESB aðild. Mbl.is. 16 June 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023658/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/06/16/57_3_prosent_segjast_andvig_esb_adild/. 23 February 2014.
  204. Web site: Meirihluti vill draga ESB-umsóknina til baka. Mbl.is. 30 June 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023648/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/06/30/meirihluti_vill_draga_esb_umsoknina_til_baka/. 23 February 2014.
  205. Web site: Vaxandi andstaða við aðild að ESB. Mbl.is. 8 November 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023655/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/08/11/vaxandi_andstada_vid_adild_ad_esb/. 23 February 2014.
  206. Web site: Vilja ljúka aðildarviðræðum. mbl.is. 15 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20131226214425/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/09/12/vilja_ljuka_adildarvidraedum/. 26 December 2013.
  207. Web site: Fleiri vilja hætta við umsókn. Mbl.is. 16 November 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023548/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/11/16/fleiri_vilja_haetta_vid_umsokn/. 23 February 2014.
  208. Web site: Meirihluti vill kjósa um ESB. Mbl.is. 17 November 2011. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023601/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/11/17/meirihluti_vill_kjosa_um_esb/. 23 February 2014.
  209. Web site: Meirihluti vill ljúka ESB-viðræðum. mbl.is. 12 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121018171310/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/12/12/meirihluti_vill_ljuka_esb_vidraedum/. 18 October 2012.
  210. Web site: Vaxandi andstaða við ESB-aðild. Mbl.is. 19 January 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023555/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2012/01/19/vaxandi_andstada_vid_esb_adild/. 23 February 2014.
  211. Web site: Vilja ekki evru í stað krónu. Mbl.is. 19 January 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120919034844/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2012/01/19/vilja_ekki_evru_i_stad_kronu/. 19 September 2012.
  212. Web site: 67% myndu hafna ESB-aðild. Mbl.is. 28 February 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927222613/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2012/02/28/67_prosent_myndu_hafna_esb_adild/. 27 September 2013.
  213. Web site: Innlent ». Mikill meirihluti vill ekki í ESB. mbl.is. 27 April 2012. 12 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120815065948/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2012/04/27/mikill_meirihluti_vill_ekki_i_esb/. 15 August 2012.
  214. Web site: Um 80% kjósenda Sjálfstæðisflokks og Framsóknarflokks andvígir esb aðild. Heimssyn.is. 15 October 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135953/http://heimssyn.is/um-80-kjosenda-sjalfstaedisflokks-og-framsoknarflokks-andvigir-esb/. 22 February 2014.
  215. Web site: Þeim fjölgar sem vilja afturkalla ESB-umsóknina. Mbl.is. 12 November 2012. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023651/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2012/11/12/fjolgar_sem_vilja_afturkalla_esb_umsoknina/. 23 February 2014.
  216. Web site: 48,5% vilja ljúka viðræðum við ESB. mbl.is. 18 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023545/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2013/01/18/48_5_prosent_vilja_ljuka_vidraedum_vid_esb/. 23 February 2014.
  217. Web site: 63,3% andvíg inngöngu í ESB. Mbl.is. 13 February 2013. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223023559/http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2013/02/13/63_3_prosent_andvig_inngongu_i_esb/. 23 February 2014.
  218. Web site: Meirihluti áfram andsnúinn aðild. is. Si.is. 6 March 2013. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222231938/http://www.si.is/malaflokkar/althjodlegt-samstarf/frettir-og-greinar-um-althjodamal/nr/9609. 22 February 2014.
  219. Web site: Ný könnun: 61% vill klára aðildarviðræður við ESB. is. 18 March 2013. 26 March 2013. Já Ísland. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221184648/http://jaisland.is/umraedan/ny-konnun-61-vill-klara-adildarvidraedur-vid-esb/. 21 February 2014.
  220. Web site: Meirihluti vill halda áfram viðræðum. is. Si.is. 23 March 2013. 18 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062825/http://www.ruv.is/frett/meirihluti-vill-halda-afram-vidraedum. 22 February 2014.
  221. Web site: Aðildarviðræður við Evrópusambandið. March 2014. 10 October 2016. Gallup. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023439/http://www.visir.is/assets/pdf/XZ1509313.PDF. 4 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  222. Web site: Majority rejects EU membership. 2016-02-03. 2016-03-29. Morgunblaðið. 7 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160407070005/http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/politics_and_society/2016/02/03/majority_rejects_eu_membership/. live.
  223. Web site: Opposition to EU membership on the rise. 2016-11-17. 2016-12-03. Iceland Monitor. 18 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161118131850/http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/politics_and_society/2016/11/17/opposition_to_eu_membership_on_the_rise/. live.
  224. Web site: Two-thirds reject EU membership. 2017-02-23. 2017-01-04. Iceland Monitor. 2 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170402165219/http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/politics_and_society/2017/02/23/two_thirds_reject_eu_membership/. live.
  225. Web site: Innganga Íslands í Evrópusambandið. 2019-05-15. 2023-01-05. Maskína. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122212845/https://maskina.is/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019_ESB_Mask%C3%ADnusk%C3%BDrsla-3.pdf. live.
  226. Web site: Fleiri Íslendingar eru andvígir en hlynntir inngöngu Íslands í Esb. 2020-02-25. 2023-01-05. Maskína. 5 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230105171607/https://maskina.is/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Mask%C3%ADna_febr%C3%BAar_ESB.pdf. live.
  227. Web site: Viðhorf Íslendinga til inngöngu í Evrópusambandið breytist lítið milli ára – áfram fleiri andvígir en hlynntir. 2020-02-06. 2023-01-05. Maskína. 5 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230105171607/https://maskina.is/vidhorf-islendinga-til-inngongu-i-evropusambandid-breytist-litid-milli-ara-afram-fleiri-andvigir-en-hlynntir/. live.
  228. Web site: Afstaða til veru Íslands í NATO og aðildar að ESB | Þjóðarpúls. 2022-03-09. 2022-03-09. Gallup. 10 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220310133515/https://www.gallup.is/frettir/nato-og-esb/. live.
  229. Web site: Nærri helmingur Íslendinga hlynntur aðild að Evrópusambandinu . 2022-06-18 . 2022-12-17 . Kjarninn . 19 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219042201/https://kjarninn.is/frettir/naerri-helmingur-islendinga-hlynntur-adild-ad-evropusambandinu/ . live.
  230. Web site: Þriðja könnunin í röð sem sýnir meirihluta fyrir aðild að Evrópusambandinu. 2022-11-24. 2022-12-17. Kjarninn. 19 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221219041400/https://kjarninn.is/frettir/thridja-konnunin-i-rod-sem-synir-meirihluta-fyrir-adild-ad-evropusambandinu/. live.
  231. Web site: Fleiri vilja ganga í ESB og NATÓ í skugga stríðs í Evrópu. 2023-02-13. 2023-03-10. Samstodin.
  232. Web site: Fleiri hlynntir en mótfallnir ESB-aðild. 2023-02-12. 2023-02-13. Maskína.
  233. Web site: 44% vilja að Ísland gangi í Evrópusambandið. 2023-05-09. 2023-05-10. RUV.
  234. Web site: Mikill meirihluti vill kjósa um ESB aðild – Sjálfstæðismenn og Miðflokksmenn skera sig úr . 2023-09-15. 2023-09-17. DV.
  235. Web site: Meirihluti þjóðarinnar styður aðildarviðræður við ESB. 2024-07-04. 2024-08-03. Visir.
  236. Web site: Eurostat - Tables, Graphs and Maps Interface (TGM) table. ec.europa.eu. 2016-09-26. 5 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105081956/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tps00001&plugin=1. live.
  237. Web site: Eurostat - Data Explorer. 31 May 2016. 13 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513223954/https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?query=BOOKMARK_DS-115323_QID_1F89622D_UID_-3F171EB0&layout=TIME,C,X,0;GEO,L,Y,0;INDICATORS,C,Z,0;&zSelection=DS-115323INDICATORS,OBS_FLAG;&rankName1=INDICATORS_1_2_-1_2&rankName2=TIME_1_0_0_0&rankName3=GEO_1_2_0_1&sortC=ASC_-1_FIRST&rStp=&cStp=&rDCh=&cDCh=&rDM=true&cDM=true&footnes=false&empty=false&wai=false&time_mode=ROLLING&time_most_recent=false&lang=EN&cfo=. live.
  238. Web site: World Economic Outlook Database, April 2022. 19 April 2022. IMF.org. International Monetary Fund. 20 April 2022. 22 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220422000313/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/April/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2022&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1. live.