Björn Bjarnason sees no better prospects for Iceland in EU talks

There is nothing to indicate that Iceland would be in a stronger position in talks with the European Union now than it was in 2013, former education and justice minister Björn Bjarnason said at an Áfram Ísland meeting in Hvolsvöllur on Tuesday, according to mbl.is.

The meeting was well attended, with agricultural affairs at the centre of the discussion.

Bjarnason welcomed an investigation and report commissioned by the Icelandic Farmers Association on how Icelandic farmers’ operating conditions would be affected if Iceland joined the EU. He said the conclusion was clear.

“It will not be in the hands of Icelandic farmers or Icelandic authorities, Parliament, the government or anyone else to make the decisions that shape farmers’ operating conditions. Those decisions will be made in Brussels,” he said.

He said a basic feature of the EU was that agriculture was governed collectively across the bloc, just as fisheries policy was shared. Decisions in Brussels would therefore not be made with Icelandic interests in mind, he argued, adding that officials there did not always understand what was best for farmers.

Bjarnason said the EU’s objective was instead to become a global power. He cited the bloc’s free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries in South America, which he said was undermining European farmers and creating major difficulties.

He also addressed arguments that global uncertainty, including in security and international affairs, made this the right time for Iceland to join the EU. He said the EU might see a political opportunity to expand into the Arctic, gain influence over Iceland and the North Atlantic, and then use Iceland to draw Norway into the bloc.

Bjarnason questioned whether Iceland was genuinely in a better position to negotiate with the EU now than it was in early 2013, when talks were halted because agreement on fisheries and agriculture had never appeared possible.

He said there was no indication that Iceland would receive special treatment in negotiations because of its importance in fisheries. Other interests would prevail, he argued, pointing to the situation facing Irish agriculture and fisheries.