Baudenbacher says EU membership would not serve Iceland’s interests

Former EFTA Court president Carl Baudenbacher said Iceland’s current membership of the European Economic Area and EFTA is in many ways more advantageous than joining the European Union, mbl.is reports.

Baudenbacher made the remarks at a packed meeting at Independence Hall, a venue at Austurvöllur, on Monday afternoon. He was speaking ahead of the August 29 referendum on whether Iceland should reopen accession talks with the EU.

His lecture was divided into eight sections and addressed several of the main arguments put forward by supporters of EU membership. He argued that developments in economic and political affairs within the EU were, in many respects, unfavourable to Iceland.

Baudenbacher also described how decisions are made within the EU, arguing that the largest member states determine its direction and that Iceland would have little influence.

Former Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson gave a short address at the beginning of the meeting. Baudenbacher received a standing ovation after his lecture, followed by questions from the audience.