MP warns Iceland against rushing Protocol 35 decision

Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, an Independence Party MP and former foreign minister, says Iceland should mount a full defence before the EFTA Court over Protocol 35 and warns against rushing the matter, mbl.is reports.

The European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority, known as ESA, announced on Wednesday that it would bring infringement proceedings against Iceland. It says Icelandic law does not adequately ensure that rules incorporated from the European Economic Area agreement take precedence when they conflict with other Icelandic legal provisions.

Guðlaugur Þór said the timing was notable because the issue had been under consideration since 2012. He said the EEA agreement had worked well in Iceland and there was no reason to rush its implementation. He added that neither the Icelandic government’s political interests nor those of the European Union should dictate the response.

“No one needs to hold their breath over this. The EEA agreement is working well, with the exception that the European Union has breached it in relation to us,” he said.

Árni Páll Árnason, a member of ESA’s board and its vice-president, said the matter was now in the hands of the Icelandic government and parliament. If Protocol 35 is implemented adequately, the situation will be reassessed, he said.

ESA believes the EFTA Court will agree with its arguments, Árni Páll said, while stressing that the court will make the final decision.