Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes decision by Iceland's Parliament to submit EU membership application

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes the decision by the Parliament of Iceland to submit an application for the EU membership and expresses Latvia's readiness to share its experience of Eurointegration and accession negotiations. Latvia supports the submission of Iceland's application for consideration to the European Commission as well as a speedy commencement of accession negotiations. "Although Iceland is currently applying the majority of the EU acquis and is a member state to the European Economic Area and the Schengen Treaty, the negotiation process will take time and Iceland will have to meet all EU membership criteria. I am convinced, however, that in few years' time Latvia and Iceland will become partners within the EU framework, if during a referendum the majority of Iceland's residents support its accession to the EU," the Foreign Minister noted.

Iceland was the first country to officially reconise the independence of the Republic of Latvia in August 1991. The diplomatic relations between Latvia and Iceland were restored on 22 August 1991.

On 16 July, the Althing (Parliament) of Iceland approved the draft Government resolution authorising the Government to submit the accession application to the European Union, as well as on the holding of a referendum after the conclusion of accession negotiations. Iceland is planning to hand in its application already this month. After that, the European Commission is to prepare an avis (opinion) on Iceland's preparedness to launch negotiations. In case of a positive opinion, the talks might be initiated within a year's time.

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