Iceland rejects EU membership talks, puts fishing rights and sovereignty first

Icelanders have voted against reopening membership talks with the European Union.

Icelanders have voted against reopening membership talks with the European Union, rejecting a government proposal to revive negotiations amid concerns that joining the bloc could threaten the country's control over its fishing waters and national sovereignty.The result is likely to disappoint Brussels, where some officials had viewed Iceland as a relatively low-risk candidate that could help ease scepticism over further EU enlargement and strengthen the bloc's strategic position as Arctic security gains importance.Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir had urged voters to view the referendum as a "now or never" moment. In August, she said a "no" vote would end the debate over Iceland's EU membership.Supporters of joining the bloc had argued that EU membership could help lower Iceland's high interest rates and provide greater economic and security stability amid Russia's war in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's statements regarding the possible annexation of Greenland.Opponents, however, warned that EU membership could undermine Iceland's sovereignty and put its fishing waters at risk.After casting her ballot in the capital on Saturday, Frostadottir said the referendum campaign had triggered a wider debate about Iceland's place in the world.

"This is a great day. We've been waiting for this to be able to have a vote for years," Frostadottir said, adding that her government would continue its work regardless of the outcome.Iceland first applied to join the EU in 2009, as the country's economy struggled with the impact of a major financial crisis. Membership negotiations were later halted in 2013 under a Eurosceptic government.The question of EU membership has since resurfaced periodically, with growing geopolitical uncertainty, tensions in the Middle East and US trade tariffs adding fresh urgency to a debate Iceland has wrestled with for decades.