The Independence Party’s member of the Economic Affairs Committee says that it is highly critical that the Minister of Economic Affairs has signed a declaration of intent between Iceland and the European Union without submitting it to parliament. The chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee says that it will be discussed at a meeting, even though he is strongly against the European Union.
Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Icelandic Government, and Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries of the European Union, signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday last week on increased cooperation in matters of the ocean and fisheries. In a statement from the government, the memorandum of understanding is said to be the basis for increased future cooperation with regard to sustainable fishing, scientific research and marine protection.
Says It Is Critical Not To Bring The Matter To Parliament
Njáll Trausti Friðbertsson, MP for the Independence Party, requested this morning a meeting of the Industry and Trade Committee with the Minister of Industry and Trade and says it is urgent to receive more detailed information about what the declaration entails. However, he does not expect a meeting until mid-August. The committee is not expected to meet this summer in the parliamentary rules of the Althingi. There are major interests at stake.
“These are big and important issues that are under there. Among them is talk about the division of common stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, the blue economy and ocean issues. For example, we have been in disputes with the European Union over shared stocks such as mackerel for a long time. So it is good to get out what has been said in connection with this.”
In Njál’s opinion, it is highly critical that the Minister of Industry did not submit the declaration to the parliament before it was signed.
“It is just important that when the executive branch signs such a declaration of intent with the European Union that the parliament receives information and a good discussion about what the declaration of intent is about. And it is important that the parliament has a say in the matter and is at least well informed.”
A member of the Independence Party says the minister’s words at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee confirm everything the opposition feared. He says the prime minister is going back on his words.
The Chairman Has Little Idea What The Statement Means
Sigurjón Þórðarson, chairman of the Industry Committee and member of the People’s Party, says that of course the matter will be discussed when parliament convenes. In his opinion, it would be advisable to request a memorandum on the matter.
“I think it is now just traditional for a minister to sign a declaration of intent on good cooperation with other nations. Especially the nation’s main trading partners.”
Minister of Industry and Trade Hanna Katrín Friðriksson did not give an interview about the case but said that she would of course attend the committee meeting if formally requested.
Asked if he likes the declaration of intent, Sigurjón says it is difficult to answer since he knows little about what the declaration contains.
Believes Political Winds Are Blowing Against The EU
When asked, he reiterates his views on the European Union.
“I am not in favor of joining the European Union. That is clear. Sometimes I feel like we are going to solve our problems by joining the European Union. Instead of focusing on solving the problems facing society. There are many issues that we need to solve that will not be automatically solved by joining the European Union. Whether it is housing issues, fisheries issues or immigration issues. I think that the key to joining the European Union for those who support it now is that we do better in immigration issues.”
Asked what he means by that, Sigurjón says it is urgent to address that issue before talking about joining the European Union.
“For example, the issues that were stopped by the opposition. For example, the immigration law and addressing that issue. That there are no people here who have been deported. While those issues are unresolved, I believe that political winds will blow against the European Union. I think that addressing these issues is the key.”
Asked what he thinks about the debate about the European Union in recent days after the arrival of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in this country, Sigurjón says:
“This debate has gone in various directions. People are sometimes making too much of a small thing. By that I mean both those who are very supportive and those who are very opposed to the European Union. I think it is quite clear what the government stands for. Whether these accession negotiations have been acrimoniously terminated or not, it is quite clear that if the matter is to continue, it is better to have a fresh declaration of support from the nation,” he says, adding that in his opinion the accession negotiations were terminated over ten years ago.
Source: Vísir (in Icelandic)
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