The majority of MPs in the Icelandic parliament, Althingi, voted in favor of the government’s parliamentary resolution on launching membership talks with the European Union at 2 pm today, 33 voted for, 28 against and two abstained.
Photo of Thingvellir by Páll Stefánsson.
The Independence Party’s proposal on a double referendum was rejected with 32 votes against 30. One MP abstained, ruv.is reports.
Representatives of the Icelandic government will formally submit Iceland’s application for membership to the European Union in Brussels on July 27, at a meeting of the EU foreign ministers.
Foreign Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt announced at a press conference in Reykjavík on June 9 that during their current six-month presidency of the European Union, Sweden will prioritize Iceland’s application.
Membership talks are expected to take two years. Once completed, the Icelandic nation will vote on the membership agreement between Iceland and the EU in a referendum.
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