Iceland Rejects Resuming EU Membership Talks Reykjavik, March 9 (Yonhap) -- Icelanders on Saturday voted against resuming European Union membership talks, dealing a major blow to the government's bid to join the EU. In a non-binding referendum, nearly 60 percent of Icelanders rejected the government's plan to resume talks with Brussels, which had been stalled since 2008. The government had sought to revive the talks, launched in 2005, in a bid to join the EU and adopt the euro. But the move was fiercely opposed by many Icelanders, who feared it would undermine their country's sovereignty and way of life. The referendum was called after the government failed to win parliamentary approval for its EU bid. Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson said he would step down if voters rejected the plan. He said he would respect the outcome of the referendum and begin consultations with other parties on the way forward. The government had argued that EU membership would help Iceland recover from a severe economic crisis in 2008. It also said membership would provide Iceland with greater access to European markets. But opponents argued that membership would lead to higher prices, especially for fish products, and threaten Iceland's rich fishing resources. They also feared that Iceland would lose control over its natural resources. The tiny North Atlantic island nation of 320,000 people has a unique culture and way of life. It has a highly developed economy and is known for its stunning landscapes and hot springs. Iceland has been negotiating with the EU since 2005 but put talks on hold in 2008 after a severe economic crisis hit the country. The government had hoped that joining the EU would help it recover from the crisis. But the talks stalled and Iceland's application was frozen. In 2012, Iceland's then-prime minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, signed an agreement to restart talks. But the move was opposed by many Icelanders, who took to the streets in protest. The issue has been highly divisive in Iceland, with many fearing that EU membership would undermine the country's unique culture and way of life.
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