Iceland informed plainly that it would not compromise on its fishing industry as it applied to join the European Union. It is said that it would not accept a “rotten deal” for its fishing industry, a key sector of the island nation’s troubled economy. Last week Iceland’s parliament voted last week to seek EU membership as a way to stabilize the country’s economy, which was one of the first causalities of the global recession after years of strong growth.
Iceland is said to have met most of the EU membership criteria, but tough negotiations await over fishing rights. The independent-minded Icelanders are concerned that the 27-nation bloc’s common fisheries policy would give other European fleets access to Iceland’s rich waters.
Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson said after presenting the EU application to his Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, that if Iceland would get a rotten deal on the fisheries, the Icelandic people would get quite angry. He further said that this is not only an issue of economics. It is also an emotional issue and it is related to sovereignty,” said Skarphedinsson, a former fisherman.
It is informed that in 2007, fishing employed 4 percent of Iceland’s work force, just over 7,000 people. But seafood accounted for almost half of Iceland’s exports and 10 percent of its gross domestic product. The EU has to approve the accession, after which Iceland would have to hold a referendum on membership.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed Iceland’s application, citing its “long and deep democratic roots.” The fishing issue is not Iceland’s only hurdle, however. The Icelandic Parliament, which only narrowly approved the EU application, has yet to approve an international agreement to repay Dutch and British depositors who put money in the offshore division of failed Icelandic bank Landsbanki.
