Seán Barrett
Ceist:41 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the progress of negotiations for Iceland to join the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29686/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 July 2010
Ceisteanna (30)
Freagraí scríofa
Iceland applied for membership of the EU in July 2009. On 24 February, the Commission delivered a largely positive opinion (avis) on Iceland’s readiness to begin accession negotiations and recommended that a date should be set for commencement of talks. In light of the Commission opinion the application was considered by Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs Council on 14 June and by Heads of State and Government at the European Council on 17 June 2010. The European Council decided that accession negotiations should be opened and invited the Council to adopt a general Negotiating Framework.
The Negotiating Framework will set out the broad principles, parameters and negotiating procedures governing the talks with Iceland. The Commission has prepared an initial draft of the Framework and this will be discussed by Member States at working group level over the coming weeks. The final draft will then be submitted to the General Affairs Council for approval and the Council will then set a date for the commencement of the formal talks.
Iceland is a country with which we have strong ties of geography, history, culture and politics. It is already closely integrated with the EU in several areas, through its membership of the European Economic Area and the Schengen area, all of which should facilitate the process of negotiating in some areas.
As in any negotiation, the eventual outcome and timeframe cannot be predicted. Some of the areas to be covered in the negotiations will present challenges both for Iceland and for some existing member states. I am confident that workable solutions can be found. The outcome of negotiations must, as I say, be awaited but the possible accession of Iceland is something I would regard as a positive development.