Irakli Kirtskhalia: Iceland’s Decision on EU Membership Is a Sovereign Choice

Icelandic society has likely assessed what membership in today’s European Union entails, and the outcome reflects the decision of a developed, sovereign country, Georgian Dream parliamentary faction chair and parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia said, commenting on the referendum held in Iceland.

“Everyone should understand that the European Union is an economic union. When joining an economic bloc, no one needs a vulnerable country; what everyone needs is an economically strong country standing firmly on its own feet. Yet our so-called opponents tell us that the EU should open its doors to us when the country and its economy are weakened and Georgia becomes vulnerable. The reality is that it simply does not work that way.

“In Iceland, society has probably examined what membership in today’s European Union means, and 53% made their choice a decision that, in a democratic country, the remaining 47% accepted,” Kirtskhalia said.

A referendum on Iceland’s European Union accession process was held on August 29. According to the results, 52.8% of voters opposed resuming accession negotiations with the EU.