Former EFTA court president warns EU membership would hurt Iceland

Carl Baudenbacher, a former president of the EFTA Court, has argued that joining the European Union would not serve Iceland’s interests, mbl.is reported. He spoke to a full house at Sjálfstæðissalurinn, a meeting hall at Austurvöllur, on Monday afternoon ahead of Iceland’s August 29 referendum on whether to resume EU accession talks.

Baudenbacher divided his lecture into eight sections, addressing arguments frequently made by supporters of EU membership. He said economic and political developments within the EU were often unfavourable to Iceland and that the country’s current participation in the European Economic Area and EFTA was in many respects more advantageous than joining the bloc.

He also explained how decision-making works within the EU, arguing that the largest member states ultimately set the course and that Iceland would have little influence. Former Icelandic president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson delivered a short address at the start of the meeting. Baudenbacher received a standing ovation after finishing his speech, followed by questions from the audience.