Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU member states decided to initiate the procedure for admission to the EU, Iceland, said the ruling issued today, the Board. The Council decided to initiate the procedure, which provides st.49 of the EC Treaty. Accordingly, the European Council is requested to send their views on the application, - says the ruling.

July 23 this year Iceland has filed an official application for accession to the European Union. The applicationwas submitted to the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland Ossurom Skarfedinssonom at a ceremony in Stockholm because Sweden is currently the Presidency of the EU.

Receiving applications for EU membership - and this is the first technical stage of the procedure entry. The European Commission must give its opinion on the matter of Iceland joining the EU in the autumn of this year, after which the EU Council will be able to start accession negotiations.

July 16 this year Iceland's parliament - the Althing - voted in favor of joining the European Union. The decision was adopted with 33 votes in favor and 28 votes against. Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir named held the vote a historic moment that will have very favorable implications for the future of the nation. In addition, the Icelandic Government also intends to hold a referendum on the country's accession to the EU.

a long time Iceland had refused from membership in the EU, the cause of which was opposition to quotas on fishing, which is the main branch of the economy. However, the global financial crisis has made their adjustments and forced the citizens to change their views on the EU and try to get help from a united Europe.

Now Iceland is a member of NATO, the Nordic Council, the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, the UN and its specialized organizations, as well as the Council of Europe and the European Free Trade Association, but is not a member of the EU.

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