The European Commission has reacted to the rejection by Icelanders to resume accession negotiations with the European Union by claiming the continuity of the relationship between Brussels and Reykjavik. "The European Commission takes note of the result of the referendum. The Commission respects the choice of the Icelandic people. Iceland remains a close partner of the European Union", the community executive has pointed out.
The message from Brussels comes after the Icelanders rejected in a referendum to reopen the discussions for a possible incorporation of the country into the EU, in a consultation that did not propose, in any case, the immediate entry of Iceland into the bloc. The Commission has thus chosen to emphasize the close nature of the existing relationship with Iceland despite the result against recovering the accession process. The country is part of the European Economic Area (EEA), participates in the single market, and is integrated into the Schengen area, although it remains outside the European Union.
Costa contacts Frostadóttir
The president of the European Council, António Costa, has also conveyed the Union's respect for the decision made by the Icelandic citizens. Costa exchanged messages with the Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir, after the result of the consultation was known. According to the spokesperson for the president of the European Council, Costa emphasized that the European Union fully respects the democratic decision of the Icelandic people expressed in the referendum.
The president of the Council also highlighted that Iceland continues to be "one of the closest and most reliable partners" of the European Union, also through the European Economic Area. The contact between both leaders occurs at a time when the electoral result again leaves in suspense the possibility of Iceland resuming its accession process. Despite this, Costa and Frostadóttir expressed their willingness to continue strengthening the relationship between the European Union and Iceland.
The message from the European Council thus coincides with the first reaction from the Commission and outlines a European institutional response marked by respect for the result of the ballot boxes and the willingness to preserve the existing cooperation.
The 'no' halts the process before returning to Brussels
The question posed to Icelandic citizens was: "Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?" A victory for 'yes' would have allowed the Reykjavik Government to formally resume negotiations with the EU to analyze the conditions for a possible accession. The result would therefore have opened a new phase of discussions, but would not have meant the automatic incorporation of the country into the bloc.
The eventual accession would have subsequently required an agreement and a second decision from the Icelandic citizens on whether to finally accept the negotiated conditions. The triumph of 'no' has prevented reaching that scenario and keeps the accession process frozen that Iceland began in 2009 and which was later suspended.
The response from European institutions focuses on a key element of the bilateral relationship: the refusal to resume negotiations does not mean an immediate distancing of Iceland from the European architecture. Through the European Economic Area, Iceland participates in a large part of the community internal market and maintains a high level of economic integration with the Member States. Its membership in Schengen further strengthens cooperation in terms of free movement and borders.
The issue of accession has historically been conditioned by some of the economic and political particularities of the country, especially the management of fishing resources, one of the main red lines during the debate. Iceland maintains an important fishing industry and the sectors opposed to accession have traditionally warned of the risk of losing national decision-making capacity over its waters and fishing quotas.
The EU keeps the door open to cooperation
The first reactions from the Commission and the European Council share a common idea: the result of the referendum must be respected, but does not alter the nature of the relationship between Iceland and the Union. Brussels has avoided any reading of a rupture and has insisted that Reykjavik continues to be a close, reliable partner, and closely integrated into the European economy.
The result thus leaves the debate on a possible accession parked, but does not question the institutional framework that keeps Iceland linked to the European project. The Icelandic citizenry has closed the door to reopening accession negotiations; Brussels, on the other hand, wants to keep the relationship with Reykjavik open and strengthen it.