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Iceland: Referendum to be Held on EU Membership

Published March 6, 2026, 14:12
Iceland: Referendum to be Held on EU Membership

The Icelandic government has proposed holding a referendum on August 29th regarding the resumption of negotiations for EU membership, which were interrupted in 2015, announced Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykjalín Gylfadóttir. A draft decision will be presented to parliament at the beginning of the week. Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, a year after being severely affected by the global financial crisis. The European Commission expressed its satisfaction with the announcement, emphasizing that EU membership offers stability and security in a world of increasing competition. European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kós, stated that joining the EU offers a stable anchor in a bloc based on values, prosperity, and security.