Iceland Set to Join European Union

Iceland, with its population of just 320,000 people has traditionally been fiercely independent. But many Icelanders have moved to the EU, including Jonas JOHANSSON and his family here in Brussels.

00.26
Jonas JOHANSSON, Icelander living in Brussels, in English:
"This is what I would call a typical Monday dish in Iceland, especially after recession; I would call it recession soup. It's made of various leftovers from last week and weekend; we have potatoes, leaks, celery and lots of garlic of course and chilli."
 
00.43
When Jonas and his family moved to Brussels, he didn't imagine for a second that Iceland would one day join the EU. Icelanders have always been EU sceptics - but last July when the banks collapsed attitudes changed. Iceland has now started the process of negotiating an accession treaty to join the EU, and could well become the 28th member state of the Union. They might even adopt the euro as their currency. But how much of this was down to the economic crisis?
 
01.21
Thórólfur MATTHÍASSON, Economist, in English:
"Before the collapse this was a question that was discussed but not discussed After the collapse economists saw it as the only way to securing we didnt have a second collapse. We have been trying to have our own currency for 80 years and it has been a failed experiment, so now the experiment with the Icelandic krona is over in my view."
 
01.55
According to the Icelandic Finance Minister however, adopting the euro isn't necessarily the answer.
 
02.00
Steingrímur J. SIGFÚSSON, Finance Minister of Iceland, in English:
"Having our own currency and the flexibility it gives us is very important and it is proving itself now where the krona has devalued and it is giving the export industries a strong advantage, which they are making very good use of, and this applies to the fisheries industry, to the competitiveness of our business and even to tourism which has been flourishing in the midst of the crisis, so there are really two sides to the krona."
 
02.33
The Vice President of the ... Distributed by Tubemogul.

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[Leifthrasir]

I think it would be cool to see Iceland join the EU. Norway should join too and the Balkans. I don't think Turky should join though...

[MarquisdeBarrabas]

Exactly.

Just think of it: if the EU goes through a rough patch in the future, which will be the first countries to jump shift? You can name them, I can name them, because it's obvious who they are.

We need a solid Union, not a Union of fair-weather friends.

[bobbo44445]

I really think that iceland should join the eu . My Parents and sister are maltese and when they went on iceland for a holiday. I was born there

[bobbo44445]

I really think that iceland should join the eu . My Parents and sister are maltese and when they went on iceland for a olyday. I was born there

[SimoneLethalDevils]

we can build our future togheter , the united states of europe will be the first superpower in the world, i want the iceland in the europe. Greetings from Italy (EU) to my european Brothers!

[siggi0309]

EU can SUCK IT!!!! Icelandic people will not join some corruption and bulling. HELL NO

[Finni100]

@Leifthrasir You can dream on. Norway won't join the EU for at least 40 years.

Why? Norway has much oil, fish and resources. In what way would it be good there to go into EU?

Making it a free for all play ground to come get oil and fish.

I am half Swedish so I do not hate EU so much to say that they are a bunch of corrupt fuck tards, but I don't think that EU is a good thing for Norway.

You think it would be cool, huh?

You think about how big EU is and not what it brings and takes!

[callin2427]

LOL, this advert is rediculous. Now the corrupt EU is sending out corrupt advert!!.. Please tell me, why would Iceland want to give up its freedom and join this corrupt eu becoming a slave to EU? it is not true. This EU is a shame to all europe, all country need to stay away from corrupt EU!! Iceland has many waters to fish, EU has destroyed all fish in EU. Fuck the EU.! Fuck EU MEPs !!!!!

[SosolidClaws]

@gschjetne

The E.U. really needs a country like Turkey full of young people and an exploding economy. Turkey simply needs to meet the requirements and loosen ties with Cyprus and Armenia. This will be possible within a few years I believe.

[BirgirZ]

Meh most Icelanders dont want that corupt club

[RonnocRetep]

@Leifthrasir Why not Turkey

[tigranvartanovitch]

The European Union is after Iceland's and Norway's minerals. If Iceland joins the EU, they will get fucked in its ass. The Spaniards will come and take all the fish. ALL of it. The only way is not to vote for politicians who want to suck Hermann von Rompuy's cock.