Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expresses Latvia's readiness to support EU membership of Iceland

On 3 June Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Össur Skarphéðinsson, to discuss Iceland's eventual accession to the European Union. The meeting was held at the initiative of the Icelandic side during the CBSS Ministerial Session in Elsinore, Denmark.

During the discussion Foreign Minister Skarphéðinsson informed about the Government's Proposal for a Parliamentary Resolution on Application for Accession to the European Union submitted to the Parliament end of May, urging the legislators to support the opening of the EU accession negotiations. The Government hopes to receive political support as early as within the nearest weeks. Mr. Skarphéðinsson emphasised that if the proposal is approved the EU membership application could be submitted already in July this year.

Minister Riekstins noted during the meeting that Latvia is following with great interest the debate in Iceland and reiterated support to the EU accession process given that Iceland's legislation already meets most of the accession criteria and Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area.

"Latvia has consistently advocated the continuation of the EU enlargement process following the fulfilment of criteria. The key to a successful accession process is the support by the Presidency and the Commission. If the Icelandic Government will receive a strong endorsement from the Parliament and will submit an EU membership application, the Latvian side is ready to share its experience with negotiations," Minister Riekstins emphasised.

Iceland was the first country to officially recognise the independence of the Republic of Latvia in August 1991. Diplomatic relations between Latvia and Iceland were renewed on 22 August 1991.

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