Montenegro and Iceland could join the EU together

Iceland and Montenegro could enter the European Union at the same time if Icelanders vote on 29 August to reopen accession talks, EU officials say.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos described Iceland as a "special case" because it already belongs to the European Economic Area and the Schengen zone; that status, she said, could significantly accelerate Reykjavík’s path. Kos added that if citizens back the resumption of negotiations, the country could complete the road to membership "in one to two years."

Montenegro already well advanced in talks

A senior European Commission official involved in enlargement said Iceland could quickly catch up with Montenegro, which has closed more than half of the 33 negotiating chapters and aims to become a member in 2028. Another Commission official suggested there is a strong prospect for a joint Montenegro–Iceland package that member states would ratify together.

According to that official, Iceland — as a wealthy country — would be a net contributor to the EU budget, while Montenegro would rank among the Union’s poorest members. Montenegro’s Minister for European Affairs, Maida Gorcevic, said Podgorica would gladly link its candidacy with Reykjavík, and Icelandic Foreign Minister Torgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir called joint accession "absolutely" possible.

Commissioner Kos said the EU is prepared to be "creative" in negotiations with Iceland, especially on specific issues related to fisheries and agriculture. Iceland froze accession talks in 2013, partly because of a dispute with Brussels over fishing rights.

If negotiations resume and succeed, Iceland would still need to hold another referendum in which citizens decide on actual EU membership. Recent polls indicate Icelanders remain divided over reopening the talks.

Photo: EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ