Efforts to save the flailing economy of Iceland may include a fast-track to European Union membership, says EU commissioner Olli Rehn.
“The EU prefers two countries joining at the same time rather than individually,” Rehn said during an interview with the Guardian. “If Iceland applies shortly and the negotiations are rapid, Croatia and Iceland could join the EU in parallel. On Iceland, I hope I will be busier. It is one of the oldest democracies in the world and its strategic and economic positions would be an asset to the EU.”
Talks about an Icelandic referendum on EU membership were set aside by Iceland’s new Red-Green coalition government. The Social Democrat Alliance favors EU membership while the Left Green Movement is against it.
A January 18 Capacent Gallup poll shows that 38.3 percent of Icelanders favoring EU membership and 37.7 percent are against it.






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