Iceland's parliament aims for late vote on EU bid International

Thursday, July 16, 2009

By Mia Shanley and Omar Valdimarsson

REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Iceland's parliament moved into the final stretch of marathon debates on Wednesday over starting accession talks the European Union as anti-EU protestors gathered outside.

Parliament members said a deal to vote early Wednesday evening had been scuppered due to accusations by the opposition that an important document on the impact of the EU on Iceland's agricultural industry may have been kept out of parliament.

"Some important files about Icelandic agriculture have been kept away from parliament and there's a big fuss about it," said Hoskulder Thorhallsson, an MP for the Progressive Party.

"I think the trust between the opposition and the majority is completely gone," he told Reuters.

The speaker of the Althing said the session would continue until midnight and parliament still aimed to vote on Wednesday.

Traditionally skeptical of the EU, Icelanders have warmed to the idea of membership of the bloc following an economic meltdown on the rocky island of just 320,000 inhabitants which stood out even by world standards for its speed and scale.

But many Icelanders remain protective of their sovereignty and concerned about losing control of vital fish stocks.

Dozens of anti-EU protestors gathered outside parliament with European Union flags with big red slashes through them and Icelandic signs reading "EU, NO THANKS."

"We have everything to lose, and nothing to win," said 30-year-old David Robertsson, who drove into Reykjavik for the vote from his home town one hour away. "This is about fisheries, and our farmers. Our water is our gold."

AFTER THE DELUGE

If approved, the government motion would pave the way for an application to be sent to Brussels later in July, giving the coalition of the pro-EU Social Democrats and more EU-skeptical Left-Greens the go-ahead to negotiate an accession deal.

"This is the best thing we can do to give the nation a future vision. I hope my colleagues will take note of the national interest when they vote this afternoon," Social Democrat MP Skuli Helgason told parliament.

The Icelandic government wants to put the question of actual membership before voters in a referendum once a deal with the 27-nation bloc was concluded.

The opposition wants two referendums -- one on whether to apply at all, and another vote after any Icelandic application is approved by EU member states.

"We demand a double referendum so the people of the nation have the first and the last word on membership," said 30-year-old Axel Thor Koleinsson, standing in front of parliament and carrying an Icelandic flag. Continued...