Diana on the opening of negotiations with Iceland to join the EU

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Jun 2010

On Iceland's national day, Diana made a key-note speech at a seminar in Copenhagen about that country's economic difficulties and the expected news from the Council of Ministers meeting the following day that would give the green light to the opening of negotiations with Iceland to join the EU.

Coinciding with the publication of a book: 'Kreppa! What we should learn from the Icelandic Crisis' in which Diana has written a chapter: 'Icesave - whose debt is it anyway?', Diana said:

"The opening of negotiations is to be welcomed. This should be separated out from the bilateral issue between Iceland and the UK and the Netherlands (enough diplomatic clout without having to hide behind the EU) over the Icesave debt. Both countries have new governments now. This is an excellent opportunity to restart serious negotiations. The Icelanders have never denied 'the principle of the principal debt' being due. All sides now need to get round the table again as soon as possible.

"There should be no worry about Icelandic membership happening too quickly and conversely no need for anyone to slow the pace. Indeed it is in the interests of both parties, the EU and Iceland, that the pace should be sedate. this would allow for a proper internal debate in Iceland; a country which has just been through a bruising and difficult financial and economic storm and likewise for the EU to be convinced that this is indeed a country that really has a European vocation and it not just looking for a convenient 'safe haven'."

In July 2009, Iceland presented its application for membership of the EU. In February this year, the European Commission responded by providing a favourable opinion on Iceland's application for membership.

The book, 'Kreppa! What we should learn from the Icelandic Crisis' is published by think tank e2 (ISBN : 978-952-5895-02-5)

http://www.e2.fi/en/publications-and-material/kreppa-what-we-should-learn-from-the-icelandic-crisis/