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[Funky Papa]

I can't wait to add another impoverished country to our meta-national salad bowl

*stands proud*

http://www.reuters.com/article/usDollarRpt/idUSSAT00636320090716

REYKJAVIK, July 16 (Reuters) - Iceland's parliament voted on Thursday to authorise the government to begin accession talks with the European Union, an all but unthinkable prospect until the global financial crisis wrecked the island's economy.

Members of parliament voted 33 to 28 in favour of an EU application following a final round of marathon debates that have lasted for several days. Two MPs abstained from the vote.

The vote paves the way for an application to be sent to Brussels later in July -- something which Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir has campaigned for vigorously following the country's financial meltdown.

If its application is approved by EU member states, Iceland would put the question on actual EU membership to voters in a referendum.

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

Johanna Sigurdardottir

I still have no idea how to pronounce this.

 

[norinrad21]

They need the money

 

[Gaborn]

I still have no idea how to pronounce this.

I think it's Jo-HANNAH Sig-URDAR-Dote-tir. roughly.

 

[Brobzoid]

You can't be EU and whale. Don't leave us whaling alone Iceland! EØS ain't strong enough! We need more whalers!

edit: I'm leaning towards: jo-hanna sigur-dar-dottir.

 

[Angry Grimace]

All I think about when I think Iceland is weird spacey ethereal music and black metal. I was unaware they had other exports.

 

[squicken]

Isn't part of the EU requirement the free flow of labor and citizens between the countries? And isn't Iceland rather notorious about preserving its Icelandic . . . heritage? How are they going to feel about French Algerians moving in next door?

 

[Walshicus]

I can't wait to add another impoverished country to our meta-national salad bowl

*stands proud*

http://www.reuters.com/article/usDollarRpt/idUSSAT00636320090716

Icelandic "impoverishment" is not structural though, and with such a small population relatively little EU effort will be required to bring it back to prosperity.

Membership is beneficial for both sides - Europe strategically, Iceland tactically.


Also, fun fact: Sigurdardottir is the world's only lesbian head of government.

 

[soul creator]

what does Bjork and Sigur Ros think about this news?

 

[MrHicks]

theoretically how far on the map can the EU expansion go?
where does the european border end?

the EU is swallowing the entire continent

 

[Jasup]

the EU is swallowing the entire continent

Why stop there?

 

[Souldriver]

theoretically how far on the map can the EU expansion go?
where does the european border end?

the EU is swallowing the entire continent

Up till now there isn't any border drawn. So far only Morocco's request for membership has been declined because they're "not part of Europe", as far as I know.

It's a debate whether "the EU" is an ideal (democracy, free market, rule of law, ...) or also a geographically defined entity.

 

[Nerevar]

the EU is swallowing the entire continent

Uhhh ... you mean the European Union eventually encompassing all the nations of the continent Europe is surprising to you?

Edit: And yes, Iceland technically resides on the edge of the European continental shelf (it's actually on the border of Europe and North America) and has "historically" been considered part of the Europe.

 

[Funky Papa]

theoretically how far on the map can the EU expansion go?
where does the european border end?

I've been thinking about claiming Florida back for Spain. And then, turn it into a theme park of crazy.

Think about it: Germany, Austria *and* Florida, all of them under the same roof. Fun times ahead.

 

[Igo]

Lets change the name already so we can add Canada and Australia and get started on our World Union.

 

[Souldriver]

Lets change the name already so we can add Canada and Australia and get started on our World Union.

Oh yes, Canada in the Union would be awesome.


Then again, they do hunt seals... Hmmm.

 

[nubbe]

They need to have a healthy economy to be able to join... not anytime soo than.

har har you ain't going get our tax money you sleazy bum

 

[xbhaskarx]

So now Switzerland and Norway are the only two western European countries that are too well off economically to join the EU and subsidize French farmers...

 

[baultista]

Oh yes, Canada in the Union would be awesome.


Then again, they do hunt seals... Hmmm.

1) You have the greatest avatar ever
2) Australia and Canada as part of the EU would be pretty hilarious
3) Iceland needs the EU. Even with the IMF bailout, the Icelandic Krona would never recover.

 

[GCX]

Does Iceland's economy fulfill all the member requirements set by EU?

Because, you know, the whole country is broke.

 

[Walshicus]

So now Switzerland and Norway are the only two western European countries that are too well off economically to join the EU and subsidize French farmers...

Right, because it's just French farmers that benefit and there aren't a whole shit tonne of economic and political benefits to be had in joining.

Also, you forgot Liechtenstein, San Marino, Andora, Vatican, Isle of Mann, Jersey, etc...

 

[Forsete]

Hope you like being monitored. Welcome.

 

[lastendconductor]

Cool, I wanted to visit there in the future without much hassle.

 

[Binabik15]

I've been thinking about claiming Florida back for Spain. And then, turn it into a theme park of crazy.

Think about it: Germany, Austria *and* Florida, all of them under the same roof. Fun times ahead.

I see what you did there D:

And soon Europe shall rule the world again. This time only good things can come from this, I swear!

 

[Steppenwolf]

I'm sure Iceland will be welcome in the EU no matter how the state of their economy currently is. The country is not a shithole that needs lots of investments in infrastructure etc. And the location in the northern atlantic is of high economical and military value imo.

 

[Mato]

Can not wait for the day I can enter Bjork-land just with ID.

 

[fmcato]

I've been thinking about claiming Florida back for Spain. And then, turn it into a theme park of crazy.

Thank you, but we're not interested.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

They are after the Structural and Cohesion Funds.

Around 60 billion euros per year to be split between the poorer EU nations.

 

[NekoFever]

Am I the only one who read 'Iceland' as 'Israel' in the post title?

I was like "WTF?"