Speaking for the European Union Presidency, Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has welcomed the vote by Iceland’s parliament for the country to apply to join the European Union.
 
The 33 to 28 vote was won by Iceland’s government after six days of debate in parliament. It was taken against a background of severe economic meltdown flowing from the global financial and economic crisis.
 
The process of accession is unlikely to be a smooth one, with sensitive issues of fisheries and agriculture likely to be prominent in membership talks.
 
In a statement on July 16 2009, Reinfeldt said that he welcomed the membership application, which would be assessed in accordance with the EU’s established procedures.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said: "The decision of the Icelandic parliament is a sign of the vitality of the European project and indicative of the hope that the EU represents.

"Iceland is a European country with long and deep democratic roots. Iceland has very close relations with the EU after some 40 years of EFTA membership and 15 years in the European Economic Area. It is now up to the Icelandic government to follow-up this decision by officially applying to the Presidency of the EU," Barroso said.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said: "I am pleased that the EU's enlargement agenda may soon extend to Europe's north-western corner as well, with Iceland, a country with deep democratic traditions, in addition to our continued commitment to South East Europe."

Iceland joined the European Free Trade Association in 1970 and has a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the EEC since 1972. Iceland participates in the European Economic Area since its entering into force in 1994.

Euronews said that Icelanders, perhaps because of their location and their numbers – there are only 320,000 – are protective of their sovereignty and worry about losing fish stocks if they join the EU.
 
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said: " Such issues as fisheries and agriculture are sensitive for Iceland, and for the EU. Having said that, Iceland already applies more than two-thirds of the EU legislation. Thus it meets many of the criteria of EU membership but yes the negotiations may be rather difficult."
 
According to opinion polls Icelanders, whose economy depends on fish, are keen on EU talks but are evenly split on actually joining.
 
EU Membership - the application process
 
Article 49 of the Treaty of European Union states that any European state which respects the principles on freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law may apply to become a member of the EU.
 
The country submits its membership application to the Council of Ministers. For the application to be approved, the Council must agree unanimously on accession, after consulting the Commission and receiving the assent of the European Parliament.
 
If the country’s membership application is accepted by the Council of Ministers, the country is given "candidate status". The country holding the Presidency will then instruct the Commission to enter into membership negotiations with the candidate country. These negotiations result in an accession agreement.
 
To give due form to the accession, the treaty must be ratified by all EU member states, the candidate country and the European Parliament.