After years of stagnation, the subject of enlargement of the European Union to the north returns to the European debate. Both Iceland and Norway are talking more and more about reconsidering EU membership. There are geopolitical changes, including Russia's threat, Donald Trump's policy, tensions in the north of Europe and the increasing importance of energy security.
– I would very much like Iceland and Norway to join the European Union. This would be a good signal and a strong impetus for the European Union itself. says Newseria Łukasz Kohut, associate of the European Parliament from the Civic Coalition, who deals in Europarlamenta with both Scandinavian countries.
Iceland launched the accession process in 2010, beginning 27 negotiating chapters, 11 of which were provisionally closed. In 2013, negotiations were suspended and 2 years later the government formally withdrew the membership application. Today, however, the situation may turn around. Icelanders, closely associated with the Union through the European economical Area, may reopen talks on full membership within a fewer years.
– A referendum will be held in Iceland by 2027 asking citizens to resume accession negotiations with the European Union. This is simply a large step towards European integration, and social sentiments are very pro-European – emphasises Luke Kohut.
The Norwegians rejected membership of the European Union twice in 1972 and 1994. At the time, 53.5 and 52.2 percent of voters voted against. Today, however, in the face of tensions at the border with Russia and the fresh safety situation, the subject is back on the agenda. According to the MEP, Jens Stoltenberg, the erstwhile prime minister and head of NATO, has returned to Norwegian national policy. Fishing issues stay the main obstacle – it was the quotas for fishermen that twice determined the Norwegian vote.
"The European Union must besides make an examination of conscience and step backwards, but I hope that this discussion is ahead of us, that in this word at least there will be discussions about the 3rd referendum in Norway – says Euro MP KO.
He stresses that infrastructure and military safety are crucial for both countries today.
– Iceland has 4 cables, 2 of which connect it to Europe and 2 to the American continent. The Faroe Islands have only 2 specified cables and Russian submarines appear there, and they are very afraid about this situation. In addition, the Icelanders are besides looking at Greenland, due to the fact that we have seen earlier rather impudent announcements of Donald Trump and let us not forget this aspect of Iceland's safety. On Greenland, it's not that far away, so this safety aspect is crucial. – emphasizes Łukasz Kohut.
Similar concerns concern Norway, which had already experienced a hybrid attack on the border with Russia respective years ago, on which migrants on bicycles appeared in over a 1000 people. respective incidents have occurred in fresh weeks with drones that have disrupted air traffic.
– This safety aspect is, of course, the subject of a public debate in Norway, besides in the context of the Baltic Sea and the marine threat – points out the Euro MP.
Similar incentives from the EU should flow towards the Greenlandians, which could be a way for Europe to become independent of China in extracting uncommon earth metals. As calculated by the Polish economical Institute, there are immense deposits of uncommon earths, estimated at millions of tons, in the ice-free part of Greenland. They account for about 30% of global resources and are comparable to the size of deposits in China. In Greenland there are besides crucial deposits of another critical natural materials, specified as titanium (12.1 1000 t), phosphorus (11.5 1000 t), noticeable amounts of niobium, tantalum, vanadium, graphite and platinum.
– Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but they are independent overseas territories, so these nations have their independency in DNA, we cannot push. We're not populists, we're not Donald Trump, we're not forcing anyone to do anything. The Prime Minister of Greenland has late attended a European Parliament session, so diplomatic talks are ongoing. Indeed, in the context of security, besides energy, in the context of uncommon minerals these countries would be a large asset for us in the future – This is Luke Kohut.
The debate on the Nordic enlargement of the Union is becoming more and more real. In a planet where security, energy and solidarity are crucial, Iceland and Norway may be missing links that will not only bring the Arctic closer to the Union, but will besides strengthen the full Community, which would be counterweight to the brexit made last decade.
– This would be a immense reinforcement of the European Union, showing that it is not only for east and confederate countries that are not so prosperous but besides for the rich and developed countries of the North. surely Norway, which has passed a dry ft through the energy transition, which sets standards, would be a large boost for the European economy. It is 1 of the richest countries in the world, and at the same time Norway implements practically the full of European law, so there is not much to attract it to our side and then of course we could talk about the fact that the European Union is truly strengthening – emphasizes the politician.
