How would you describe last Thursday's decision by the parliament in Iceland to begin accession talks with the European Union?
It's good. I mean, now the government has a mandate to apply, and we already submitted today [17 July] the application to the Swedish presidency in Stockholm, so it's already been forwarded and we expect the process to begin, and that application be discussed at the GERC meeting on 27 July. At least our hope is that it will be taken at the earliest opportunity.
Who submitted the application?
My colleague, the ambassador of Iceland in Stockholm [Gudmundur Arni Stefansson] presented the application to the permanent secretary of the Swedish foreign ministry. It is anticipated that it will be followed up politically.
Wasn't a higher level necessary?
No, obviously government - my foreign minister - will follow up. The application is signed by the prime minister [Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir] and the foreign minister [Össur Skarphéðinsson] and it will be followed-up by them in the coming days or weeks.
And when will the referendum on Iceland's accession take place?
That will only be done once we will have the accession treaty finalised. That remains to be seen, but that's some time from now.
Experts said that it could take one year – a year and a half for Iceland to conclude its negotiations. Do you think this is a realistic assessment?
I believe so, yes. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has practically said so, and also in the light of the fact that Iceland is deeply integrated already in Europe – we are a part of the so-called European Economic Area, we have taken over 75% of the EU legislation on the internal market, we have already adopted much of the relevant acquis. We are much furter advanced in the integration process than other candidate countries. We are also part of Schengen.
Is your government planning a communication campaign to make Icelanders aware of what the EU is, and not to fall prey of Eurosceptic populists?
My government obviously has a duty to inform the public and the parliament about the accession negotiations and what the Union is about. So obviously a part of the whole accession process is to enlighten the public and to consult the parliament thoroughly on the negotiations at every stage. That will of course done objectively. I am sure there will be also NGOs to do the same. You have a pro-EU camp, you have an NGO that is EU-sceptic and they will probably also do their part.
Do you expect your mission to be increased in the new circumstances? I remember Olli Rehn said that when he received a membership bid from Iceland, he would ask Commissioner Kallas to send him over a few fisheries experts.
This will be of course a huge task for my administration. We are already drawing up our plans how we are going to do that. I would not like to comment before the plans are finalised, but of course it will have a bearing on how our mission in Brussels is organised as well.
Does your country have the administrative capacity for this?
Yes. You have to remember that we are a part of the internal market, we have been able to cope with that so far, and although we have a small administration, it is efficient. What is outside the EEA is common agricultural policies, fisheries, rural development issues and justice and home affairs. I'm sure we will be able to cope with that. And thanks to the fact that the EEA is very dynamic, each time the EU adopts new legislation related to the internal market, we do it on our side as well.
How is the economic situation in Iceland now? Has the crisis been overcome?
Well, it is difficult. We are pursuing an economic restructuring and recovering programme. There are some positive elements: inflation has gone down, trade balances are positive, but there are difficult challenges ahead. But we are a tough nation, we are hard-working and we'll work our way through this. Part of our long-term strategy is to join the EU and adopt the euro.
Is it also your personal goal?
My personal goal is irrelevant. I'm here as a fonctionnaire and I do what my government tells me to do.
