EU diplomats: Iceland could apply to join the EU within a month

Jun 2, 2009, 12:59 GMT

Brussels - Iceland could apply for European Union membership as early as the first week of July, EU diplomats told the German Press Agency dpa on Tuesday.

But the exact timing depends on the island nation's parliament, which is currently debating a motion to apply for membership, with two major parties pushing for a postponement of any decision.

Iceland, severely hit by the global financial crisis, is 'expected' to apply for EU membership once its fellow-Nordic nation, Sweden, takes over the bloc's rotating six-month presidency on July 1, EU diplomats told dpa.

The application, which under EU rules would be handed to the Swedish government, is expected to come just days after Stockholm takes the EU's helm.

But Icelandic officials stressed that the decision on when and how to apply is currently under debate in parliament, with the ruling Left Green Movement and the opposition Independence Party both sceptical about an early application.

'It remains speculation as to when the decision will come out,' foreign ministry spokeswoman Urdur Gunnarsdottir told dpa.

Iceland is already a member of the European Economic Area and the border-free Schengen zone, meaning that its legislation is already in line with EU rules in many areas. Analysts say that that should make accession negotiations on most subjects relatively easy.

However, the country is fiercely protective of its fishing waters, which it would have to cede to EU control if it were to join the bloc, meaning that negotiations on that issue could be lengthy.

Under EU rules, membership applicants have first to be cleared for candidate status by the bloc's executive, the European Commission, and by member states. They then negotiate the terms of the accession treaty - a process which can take years.

Analysts say that political conditions for Iceland to apply are unusually favourable, with Sweden set to take over the EU presidency, and the EU's enlargement office currently headed by a Finn.

Both Sweden and Finland are strongly in favour of their fellow Nordic state's application.

The prime ministers of the Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - are set to meet in Iceland on June 14.