Iceland would pay billions to join EU, MP says

Joining the European Union would cost Iceland around 50 billion Icelandic krónur a year, according to Independence Party MP Diljá Mist Einarsdóttir, who said the country would become the first in decades to pay into the bloc rather than receive more than it contributed. Mbl.is reported her remarks.

Einarsdóttir was speaking at a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of EU membership organised by the Paradigm organisation at Harpa two nights earlier.

She said the Icelandic discussion had focused mainly on possible benefits such as lower interest rates, cheaper food, the euro, financial support and a seat at the table. She argued that more attention should be paid to what Iceland would have to give up in return.

“Negotiations with the European Union are not an Oprah Winfrey giveaway show,” Einarsdóttir said, referring to the idea that everyone would receive a car if Iceland joined. She added that Iceland, like other member states, would have to surrender various things and that membership would be extremely expensive.

Einarsdóttir said the EU’s interest in Iceland would be based on its own interests rather than goodwill. She pointed to Iceland’s natural resources, including energy, its position in the Arctic and its geographical importance. She said Iceland would contribute about 50 billion krónur annually and described that as something that had not happened in the past 30 years.

She also argued that membership would transfer decision-making powers from Icelandic voters, parliament, government and courts to foreign institutions.

“Is there a high enough price for the right to govern our own affairs? My answer is clearly no,” she said.