This country is expected to hold a referendum on joining the EU

ICELAND HAS BECOME the latest country to moot joining the European Union.

In the lead up to Ireland taking over the European presidency in July, several countries have made their desire to join the club known.

Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s Minister of State for EU Affairs, recently met with President of Moldova Maia Sandu, who was visiting Dublin to gather support for her country’s bid to join the union. 

Ukraine, Montenegro and Albania have also been cosying up to Ireland and other European leaders, as they try to secure membership.

Byrne said it would be a “big moment” for Ireland if Iceland were to vote to restart negotiations to join the bloc.

The Nordic island country is expected to hold a referendum on whether to restart talks on 29 August.

Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, but suspended the accession process in 2015 following a change of government.

Its current government, which came to power in late 2024, has put forward a proposal for a poll on continuing discussions with the EU to their parliament.

Speaking at a Europe Day event in Dublin on Friday, Byrne was asked about the possibility.

The Meath East TD said “we have to leave the decision for the people of Iceland” but added “we would very much welcome it”.

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“They suspended their negotiations during the last Irish presidency … so if they were to restart from there, I think it would be a big moment for us,” he said.

Byrne said he met with his Icelandic counterpart, foreign minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir “just a few weeks ago”.

He said he was able to discuss some concerns Icelanders have including issues on security and defence: “They’re part of Nato, but I explained our position on security and defence, that that is a matter for Ireland, that we have an opt-out on it.”

The Irish language is also a model for how indigenous languages can benefit from EU membership, he said.

“There are concerns in Iceland about the Icelandic language, whether that will survive European Union membership.

“I told them, actually, on the contrary, it will thrive in the European Union.

“I think the Irish language is a great example of that – it has been given new life by membership of the European Union and I would say that to the people of Iceland.”

If the people of Iceland were to vote in favour of restarting negotiations there would also be another referendum on whether the country should join the EU when the talks conclude.

Iceland, which has a population of 393 000, already has close ties with the EU and is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).

It is also part of the Schengen area which allows guarantees free movement of people between 29 European countries.

With reporting by PA

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