EU funded two prominent Icelandic advocates for membership talks

Two prominent advocates of opening membership talks between Iceland and the European Union have received financial support through the EU’s Jean Monnet programme, mbl.is reports. Hannes Hólmsteinn Gissurarson, professor emeritus, said the public should be aware of those connections.

“The European Union has, of course, made its presence felt to some extent here in Iceland. For example, many of the main advocates for the European Union in Iceland are directly paid by the European Union,” Hannes said in an interview on the Spursmál programme.

He specifically mentioned Baldur Þórhallsson, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland and a prominent advocate of opening membership talks with the EU.

In 2008, Baldur received a Jean Monnet award and the title of Jean Monnet professor. According to information from the University of Iceland, the award included 7.5 million Icelandic krónur in funding for teaching.

That amount corresponds to approximately 18 million krónur at current prices, based on changes in the consumer price index since the beginning of 2008. The funding was for teaching and was not a direct personal salary payment to Baldur.

Hannes recalled the announcement of Baldur’s Jean Monnet position at a departmental meeting.

“I particularly welcome this, because I was absolutely certain that Baldur would have earned every single euro he received from the European Union,” Hannes said he had remarked at the time.

Hannes also mentioned Magnús Árni Skjöld Magnússon, a professor at Bifröst University and chairman of the European Movement.

Bifröst University announced in August 2025 that Magnús had received a three year Jean Monnet Chair grant from the European Union. The project is called Iceland’s strategic role in Arctic and European security.

According to the university, the project includes strengthening European studies at the university, conducting research and sharing its findings with the academic community, the public and the authorities.

Bifröst said the Jean Monnet Chair grant is formally awarded to one professor, although a team of academics works on the project. Under the grant, Magnús is committed to teaching at least 90 hours a year on the project’s subject matter.

Hannes said he did not object in principle to the European Union funding such work in Iceland. Iceland is a European nation and should maintain good relations with the union, he said. However, he stressed the importance of people being aware of the financial connections of those who actively participate in the debate on Icelandic membership.