Guðrún says government must decide response to ESA case

The Icelandic government must decide how to respond to an infringement case brought by the EFTA Surveillance Authority, Independence Party leader Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir said, according to mbl.is. She said the authority’s decision to take Iceland to the EFTA Court over Protocol 35 of the European Economic Area Agreement did not surprise her.

ESA says Icelandic law does not adequately ensure that EEA rules incorporated into domestic law remain in force when they conflict with other Icelandic legal rules.

Guðrún said her party supports the EEA Agreement, which it regards as one of Iceland’s most important agreements. But she also said legislative power should remain in Iceland and that Iceland should have the final say on matters affecting its interests.

Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir introduced a bill last week to improve the implementation of Protocol 35 and is due to present it in parliament next week. Guðrún declined to state her position on the bill, saying the government should explain how it plans to respond to ESA and what steps it will take.

She also criticised the government for not completing work on the issue during the spring session last year. The matter was debated once and referred to a committee, but no further action was taken, she said.