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<\/p>\nIt would be a \u201cbig moment\u201d for Ireland if Iceland were to vote to restart negotiations to join the European Union, an Irish minister has said.<\/p>\n
The Nordic island country is expected to hold a referendum on whether or not to restart talks to join the EU on August 29.<\/p>\n
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, but suspended the accession process in 2015 following a change of government.<\/p>\n
Its current Government, which came to power in late 2024, has put forward a proposal for a poll on continuing discussions with the EU to Althingi, the Icelandic parliament.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a Europe Day event in Dublin on Friday, Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne was asked about the possibility the country might vote in favour of reopening talks.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Meath East TD said \u201cwe have to leave the decision for the people of Iceland\u201d but added \u201cwe would very much welcome it\u201d.<\/p>\n
The proposed poll is scheduled to take place during the Irish Presidency of the European Council, and Mr Byrne said: \u201cthey suspended their negotiations during the last Irish presidency.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if they were to restart from there, I think it would be a big moment for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Byrne said he met with his Icelandic counterpart, foreign minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir \u201cjust a few weeks ago\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said he was able to discuss some concerns Icelanders have including issues on security and defence: \u201cThey\u2019re part of Nato, but I explained our position on security and defence, that that is a matter for Ireland, that we have an opt-out on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Irish language is also a model for how indigenous languages can benefit from EU membership, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are concerns in Iceland about the Icelandic language, whether that will survive European Union membership.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told them, actually, on the contrary, it will thrive in the European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the Irish language is a great example of that, it has been given new life by membership of the European Union and I would say that to the people of Iceland.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the people of Iceland were to vote in favour of restarting negotiations there would also be another referendum on whether the country should join the EU when the talks conclude.<\/p>\n
Iceland, which has a population of 393 000, already has close ties with the EU and is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).<\/p>\n
It is also part of the Schengen area which allows guarantees free movement of people between 29 European countries.<\/p>\n
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