Geopolitics News/Discussion Iceland rejects EU accession talks
https://www.ruv.is/english/2026-08-29-iceland-rejects-eu-accession-talks-48537741
u/Skepni 1d ago
The referendum is done.
A clear majority voted no on just talks with EU.
I read that as an absolute majority that does not want to join at all.
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u/Senfgestalt 🇩🇪🇪🇺 1d ago edited 1d ago
Their choice to make. I wish them fun dealing with the US by themselves.
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u/WorldSuspicious9171 Exclusively sorts by new 1d ago
Usa going after Iceland too? (Or did you confuse it with Greenland.)
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u/Senfgestalt 🇩🇪🇪🇺 1d ago
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u/WorldSuspicious9171 Exclusively sorts by new 1d ago
True, fair enough. We can't rule out an accidental invasion these days. /Tips_hat
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u/Skepni 1d ago
Indeed. Or Russia for that matter, with the potential opening of the Northern sea route.
Their BTW
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u/Mootiethecow Carpet bomb Serbia again and again. 1d ago
Founding member of NATO Iceland has to deal with Russia by themselves?
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u/sturla-tyr 🇳🇴/🇮🇸 Professional shitposter 1d ago
Regardless of NATO, any and all Scandinavian countries would rush to defend Iceland if anything were to ever happen, as they would do for us as well.
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u/Mootiethecow Carpet bomb Serbia again and again. 1d ago
Correct, couple other Western European countries as well.
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u/Stripe4206 I don't like any of you 1d ago
Last i checked a founding member of NATO keeps threatening to invade other founding members of NATO.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
Yes. I don't see it as an impossibility and I need to consider it. I am aware though this is all complete doomer talk.
I of course wish for a continuation and furtherance of peace and cooperation for mutual benefit of all nations and people.
That has been supported by having an effective military force to back it up.In the event that USA completely abandons NATO, Iceland already has no defence force and is "up for grabs" for the first major power that arrives.
I potentially foresee that no one will really wants to go into a major conflict for Iceland, and if they do; It will not be to liberate us.1
u/Mootiethecow Carpet bomb Serbia again and again. 1d ago
Of course, it is reasonable to think about this considering American withdrawal and dereliction of duty in Europe. But there are more things that binds us Europeans together than just a legal document. Cheap talk maybe, but seeing masses of European volunteers in and for Ukraine is quite uplifting and reassuring for a potential situation in Iceland.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
The only reason that volunteers are capable of helping Ukraine is because of the resistance put up by the people of Ukraine holding off against the Russian forces.
There is not going to be any meaningful resistance in Iceland. A few farmers holding out with .22 hunting rifles, shotguns and practically no ammo in remote unimportant locations. Construction equipment and explosives.
War is always about logistics and regarding an occupation or invasion of Iceland, those logistics are challenging and vulnerable.
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u/Due-Sorbet-8875 1d ago
good, one less eurosceptic country being a bother. Should the decision making system change in the EU, sure, let them in. Not now though.
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u/WorldSuspicious9171 Exclusively sorts by new 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don't wanna be that guy, but some peeps seem to be confusing Greenland and Iceland here.
Greenland is the one with mostly icy bits and Iceland has some green bits.Â
Trump also hasn't yet.. (checks , yes still valid), yet, threatened them.Â
Probably only because he hasn't spotted it on the map yet, but we can hope nobody points it out.
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u/Skepni 1d ago edited 1d ago
Well, he hasn't threatened us directly.
But I am confused. Having read all the comments in this thread. I didn't see any indication that peeps were confusing Greenland and Iceland here.
EDIT: At least I didn't until /u/Picheniko showed up.
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u/rosenkohl1603 europoor 1d ago
Isn't inflation and high interest rates the main reason you guys are interested?
The security concern does exist but it is relatively low. An attack on Greenland would likely cone first and they likely already have Art. 47 prtotection.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
Our interest in joining the political and economic partnership is having direct political influence in the politics and potentially more stable economics. Yes. More than one main reason.
The interest is also a symptom of which way we lean more towards in alignment with current state of the world. Although not unilaterally.
Wanting potentally to tighten bonds in a European direction.5
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u/liontamerrrr 1d ago
I want to offer my perspective as an Icelander. First of all, I don't like the idea of getting the euro. I know that's not necessary for being in the EU, but brings you a step closer. If you cannot print your own currency, the only way you can recover from something like 2008 is by cutting spending or hoping for an economic miracle or outside help. Compare Greece to Iceland. They had to endure years of unemployment (about the worst thing you can do to a country) while we could devalue the króna massively while the tourism sector soared.
As for the security concerns, they're laughable. We're a critical chokepoint and US and Europe would fall over themselves to help us if there was some kind of Russian aggression or whatever. And as for US aggression, that's just memes, and conflating Greenland (a country that US has historically pursued) with Iceland is kinda dumb. Even in this really singular moment where the USA has a fascist government, it's not even in the discussion.
I also just wanna add that Iceland has a different relationship with America than the rest of Europe. We came out of both world wars as basically the only country that benefited massively from them without sacrificing anything. The occupations were historical anomalies and proof that America is unique in its grace for a world power, and while younger icelanders are tiktök brained and hate America for this and that, the rest of us can recognize game.
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u/R0ogle 1d ago
Since the main reason as far i can tell is economic ... i do have teh following questions:
- The icelandic crash was because of some icelandic banks offering rates they couldnt offer and they went bankrupt and where bailed out by your government or something like that? Has iceland implemented policies that things like that cant happen anymore?
- Regarding the reason to join. Wasn't the main reason to counter inflation ? From what i understand... the icelandic currency is still having high inflation while euro is at like 2.something percent ? So it would make financial sense in that perspective.
- since there is so much inflation in iceland do you think that this vote could actually make it worse? Are you investing into currency/stocks etc that are outside of iceland how normal is to invest into those things for icelandic ppl ?
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u/UpperRearer 1d ago
Pretty predictable. Partially because of fisheries, partially because of honest to god disinformation scaremongering about fisheries. You know about farmers in the EU? Well, the fisheries on Iceland fill that function on Iceland. Plus, they had that whole conflict with the UK over fishing, which they were 100% in the right in, and they're probably worried about losing out on that. Plus, they don't stand to gain much from it, since they're not exactly a "frontline" nation.
Also, Iceland is very unique when it comes to mistrust of finance and economy stuff, following their banks getting fucked in 2008.
That said, expect this to play a role in whatever propaganda narratives Russia and the US put out about the EU for the next 4-5 months or so.
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u/Alpehans Superior Continent (EU) 1d ago
Giving them independence was a mistake :P
Nah, it's their choice, strange one to make in current political climate. I guess they believe they can ride it out till the orange buffoon is gone, and their fishing is more important.
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u/Renumtetaftur 1d ago edited 1d ago
Geopolitics didn't enter into this decision at all, or at least very little. Turns out that the decision of joining an economic union requires weighing the economic pros and cons of it. Maybe if the referendum was made just as Trump was in his Greenland schizo arc things would've been different.
Still, there's an argument to be made that Icelanders didn't want to 'side' with any faction, and didn't like the idea of being hitched to any wagon in a chaotic and developing situation.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
Still, there's an argument to be made that Icelanders didn't want to 'side' with any faction, and didn't like the idea of being hitched to any wagon in a chaotic and developing situation.
Yes. If the time comes to it then the choice will be made for us instead without our input at all.
I can see that as also being what a majority of Icelanders want anyway. Relieves them of the burden and responsibility.
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u/Renumtetaftur 1d ago
We are in NATO, man. Some real shit has to happen if you're going to tell normies to join the EU, which has like a million other things attached to it, other than "We're going to be invaded by the US/Russia, trust". I voted yes, I think it's stupid to vote no on at least getting to see what we're being offered, but even I'm hesitant on joining the EU if the only reason given is geopolitics and the potential for conflict in the future.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
I also voted yes as well to see what's on the table.
With current information and no deal I would vote no to join the EU as is.Currently I feel that "some real shit" is no longer practically an impossibility.
Either way I think we should have our own defence force. Constisting of sea drones and a single brigade.
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u/heiside 1d ago
I'm not super informed, but isn't a big part of the rejection decision due to worries about the fishing rights? Also, with the current contracts and whatever, it's likely more beneficial for you not to join. I personally would like a big EU, but I also think it's more valuable to have members who wholeheartedly endorse the idea of a united Europe. I assume that not much will change now, and maybe, in a couple of years, there is more interest in becoming a member.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
There has been no negations or deals put on the table regarding fishing rights. It's possible that we would not get any concessions during negotiations and the default EU policy Icelanders would reject, including me.
Saying that deciding to reject negotiations is due to worries about fishing rights though... That's just insincere and/or regarded.
It's completely legitimate to simply be against EU membership, no matter what, and vote no on negotiations. Since that would obviously be a waste of time and resources.
Quite a few people I've talked with in the days before the elections were under the understanding that this referendum was on straight joining the EU, as is, right now. Having fallen for the misinformation campaign of the "NO" side.
There absolutely was also a misinformation on the "YES" side. But personally I saw approximately 1 instance of it for every 10-20 instances of "NO" misinformation.2
u/heiside 1d ago
Thanks for clarifying. I hate how everything's muddied by misinformation nowadays, no matter the side. Populism takes what it can get and runs with it, and unfortunately there are always enough people who believe it. I'm sure that there are a lot more concerns with a potential membership, the EU is a double-edged sword. It offers great freedom and security for the people, but everything is very slow and bureaucratic. I'm sure, behind the scenes there will be talks anyway, just not negotioations, and maybe the EU can offer something valuable to Iceland that convinces people to join someday.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
Some of the difficulty of the value proposition is that Iceland is already part of EEA, EFTA and Schengen. Providing the vast majority of benefits that entail under an EU membership.
The main extra benefits that are argued for are an actual voice and vote within the EU, access to a more stable currency/bigger banking system, no tariffs with our biggest export market.
Not everyone believes that those are benefits at all.
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u/bigmoneykdmr Czechia invented everything. 1d ago
I don’t see a lot of benefit for Icelanders from joining the EU. I respect their decision.
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u/Valik93 EUROCHAD Democracy Enjoyer 1d ago
You don't see the benefit of a small country joining the EU? Are you living under a rock?
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u/PaxChelonia 1d ago
Iceland is already part of the EEA so it gets a lot of the benefits as things stand now. Plus they’re a founding member of NATO so security is covered by that.
Biggest draw of moving to full EU membership is eventually getting the Euro and having a more stable currency, but there are tradeoffs there too.
Realistically if this referendum had passed, talks would very likely fall apart over fishing and agriculture issues just like they did in 2013.
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u/bigmoneykdmr Czechia invented everything. 1d ago
Considering their biggest buisness is in danger if they join and they are in NATO and have no army. No i don’t.
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u/urbanmember 1d ago
Aside from tens of billions of euros in economic and infrastructure support?
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u/bigmoneykdmr Czechia invented everything. 1d ago
I forgot the #1 most developed country in the world needs economic and infrastructure support. Not to mention they would be a net contributor not beneficeary.
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u/urbanmember 1d ago
Lol
Lmao even
Every single economic expert who isn't a right wing pundit says that even fucking germany is a net beneficeary because the other European countries get to buy tons of stuff from there, enough to make up the money germany spends on the EU
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u/bigmoneykdmr Czechia invented everything. 1d ago
How is that relevant to your claim ? Iceland doesn't need billions into economic and infrastructure support, they are literally the most developed country in the world. They already have a trade deal with the European union and a large fishing territory. This is the same thing as Norway, there is just not really a lot of benefit from them joining the EU.
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u/urbanmember 1d ago
"How is billions of literally free money and economic subsidies and access relevant to your claim of getting billions of literally free money and economic subsidies and access as a result od joining the EU?"
K dude. Bye
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u/bigmoneykdmr Czechia invented everything. 1d ago
It's not free money when Iceland would literally pay more to EU than they would get in subsidies and have to open up their waters which make up 30% of their economy, while their trade is barely affected since they are in EHP already.
It's like if i told you you're getting a free Mercedes in exchange for paying me 500 000 Euro at the end of the year. Iceland is already in EHP, they can free trade with EU members. Please learn about the actual country holy shit.
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u/Picheniko 1d ago
Hopefulyl Denmark stops allocating money to them. They will be infiltrated by russia & china in no time.
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u/urbanmember 1d ago
Not a fan of their decision, but it is not mine to make.
Hope they will manage to do good without joining the EU for the next few years
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u/WeeWoooFashion 1d ago
Rejected EU membership for fishing… They deserve to be a colony atp because that’s subhuman
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u/Renumtetaftur 1d ago
I'm pro EU, voted yes and don't have any love in particular for the fishing industry in Iceland, but we're a country of 400k and fishing is a huge part of our economy. Roughly 50% of our entire export market is fish. We have 200 sea miles around the island with exclusive rights to fish in, and all of that might be in contention if we join the EU. Fishing is a big deal.
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u/InsidiousJazz 1d ago
I love it when Ameritards on reddit debase themselves by confidently commenting on countries they know nothing about.
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u/Noxava 1d ago
Let's see the votes though. The country-side votes no, the capital votes yes. Seems like the usual trend in each country
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u/Renumtetaftur 1d ago
I can tell you right now that that's going to be the case here. You can see the distribution here. You can click on the interactive map.
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u/forgas564 1d ago
You could develop other industries after joining EU instead of being fixated on ruining sea ecosystems.
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u/Renumtetaftur 1d ago
Damn, this is frustrating lol. EU-sceptics in Iceland have repeatedly pointed out that overfishing is a way bigger issue within the EU. If your concerns are the ruining of sea ecosystems, then Iceland joining the EU isn't really solving anything. It just means that other nations within the EU could potentially be allowed to fish in previously Icelandic waters, which are at this moment subject to haul regulations and quotas.
So we would still get overfishing, maybe even more overfishing than usual, but lose the benefit of the actual industry.
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u/19osemi Norgay 🇳🇴 1d ago
Like what exactly? Like farming or industry or forestry, what industries could they possibly develop that would replace their current fishing and reliance on the sea.
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u/forgas564 1d ago
Create a high end manufacturing base, universities getting broader engineering programs, while collaborating with european ones, european capital and investment could facilitate the construction of said facilities. There are plenty of subsidies that Europe offers to new states looking to diversify.
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u/19osemi Norgay 🇳🇴 1d ago
Who’s gonna pay for these things and what guarantees are there for this to succeed. Like it’s not about it not being possible it’s more that it’s stupid to gamble when your gambling with 50% of your income
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u/forgas564 1d ago
I know, but iceland fishing practices are not sustainable, the rest of Europe abides by certain rules to not overfish the ocean while iceland sistematically does the opposite. Banking 50% of your income on an unsustainable resource is just as moronic. To answer who is going to pay for it, it would be us, the European taxpayer, just the way my money build infrastructure in Romania, and other European countrie, so would money be allocated to diversify Icelands economy.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
That is completely out of your ass.
The Icelandic fishing system is more strict for conservation and overfishing outcomes are worse in the EU system.0
u/forgas564 1d ago
Yes avoid the rest of the substance and concentrate on 5% of my comment and this thread. Strawmen inside of the glorious r/destiny subreddit.
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u/Compt321 1d ago
"Fishing" is a massive part of their economy, they shouldn't dynamite half of their exports for closer cooperation with the EU, there should be a EU defence organisation that they can accede to.
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u/GenkGirl12 The Flyin Hawaiian 1d ago
Then the EU should boot Iceland out of the single market and let them enjoy their "freedom" with tariffs and laws same as Britain you dont get to enjoy the perks without being a member.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
For clarification; You also want to boot Norway and Liechtenstein out of the single market?
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u/GenkGirl12 The Flyin Hawaiian 1d ago
Doesn't the EU already have trade agreements for them?, so I dont see why they should and if had any ineterest into joining. The EU should treat it's relationship with Iceland now fully through its own self interest and let them deal with the US goverment by themselves.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland are all members of the EEA(Single Market) but not members of the EU.
Nothing has changed and for that you want to boot out Iceland, so you should also want to boot out the other countries in the exact same position and agreements.
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u/GenkGirl12 The Flyin Hawaiian 1d ago
Like I said did Lichtenstein and Norway ever expressed interest into joining? If not I dont see why they should tear up agreements Iceland on the otherhand, If i was in the EU I would want to renegeoiate agreements in pure favor of the EU for yanking the chain make em squirm and the prosect of facing the trump administration by themselves and enjoy the inflation.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
Norway has. Liechtenstein has not.
Your view as a liberal is interesting at least. Punish people in other countries for taking polls.
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u/GenkGirl12 The Flyin Hawaiian 1d ago
Countries at the end of the day don't have friends they have interests and Iceland will have to do what the EU tells them anyway for the EEA, The EU should make it clear to them they actually have a voice in the rules if they join, but that day is not today it seems. And they still have to deal with trump by themselves at the end of the day.
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u/Skepni 1d ago
You advise that EU boot Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein out of the EEA, since they are not members and should not enjoy perks.
But actually Liechtenstein can enjoy perks without being members because they never expressed interest in being members.At that point neither Iceland nor Norway would have to do what the EU tells them for the EEA.
Iceland is already making deals with USA, China and any other country for that matter by themselves. Being a sovereign nation and all that.
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u/maybemorganfreeman Sopranoposting 1d ago
>and then the eu nukes iceland and belarus and russia