Why the EU should be moving heaven and earth to get Iceland into the club
Negotiations with Reykjavík risk being bogged down by rigid accession rules. For strategic reasons, Brussels has to learn how to bend a little
TL;DR
- Iceland is preparing for a referendum on re-entering EU membership talks.
- The EU needs to reform its enlargement process, moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-all accession rules.
- A more flexible, merit-based membership model is necessary for strategic expansion in a changing geopolitical climate.
- Past enlargements prioritized completeness over speed, risking strategic disadvantage against powers like Russia and China.
- Iceland's potential membership offers strategic benefits, including strengthening Europe's Arctic strategy and North Atlantic defense.
- A more agile EU decision-making structure, possibly including a European Security Council, is needed for effective foreign and defense policy.
- Reforming the enlargement process is crucial for anchoring candidate countries and projecting European power and stability.