Bailes A.J.K., Thorhalsson B. Iceland and Europe: Drifting Further Apart

FIIA Briefing Paper 139. — The Finnish Institute of International Affairs, 2013. — 8 p.This brief examines the development of Iceland's relations with the EU and of the anti-European feelings since the country's application for EU membership in 2009. The authors argue that the country's longer-standing problems with European integration stem from the desire to maintain sovereignty in general, and control over its fisheries and agriculture sectors in particular. They assess alternatives to Europe, while pointing out that, in terms of its security and standing in the global economy, Iceland is becoming more, rather than less, dependent on Europe over time.