AssetID: 55500058
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Iceland Eyes Fast-Tracked Referendum on Joining the European Union
Caption: Iceland Eyes Fast-Tracked Referendum on Joining the European Union. Iceland is considering holding a referendum as early as August on restarting talks to join the European Union. A vote had been expected by 2027, but geopolitical tensions and U.S. trade measures have accelerated the timeline. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said the enlargement debate is increasingly about “security” and “belonging.” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently met Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, calling EU ties a source of “stability in a volatile world.” Momentum for enlargement is building across Europe, with Ukraine and Montenegro advancing their accession paths. Iceland first applied to join the EU in 2009 after its banking crisis, but froze talks in 2013 and withdrew its candidate status in 2015. The country’s strategic North Atlantic location and reliance on NATO have renewed focus on security cooperation. Recent polling suggests public support for EU membership is rising, potentially paving the way for a historic return to accession talks. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Iceland,European Union,EU enlargement,referendum,Reykjavik,Ursula von der Leyen,Marta Kos,Kristrún Frostadóttir,NATO,Arctic
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