Puppet Masters
A statement released by Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson informed the European Union Commission of his country's decision to annul their application.
The announcement follows pledges made in 2013 after the election of a new eurosceptic government.
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, but earlier this year, the Icelandic prime minister said that his country would withdraw its application. The nation is already a member of the European Economic Area, which allows for free movement of persons and goods through other European Union member states.
"Participating in EU talks isn't really valid anymore," Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson said earlier this year, according to Reykjavik Grapevine magazine. "Both due to changes in the European Union and because it's not in line with the policies of the ruling government to accept everything that the last government was willing to accept. Because of that, we're back at square one."
Comment: It's hard to blame Iceland for wanting out of an organization that is merely a tool for the U.S. to use to manipulate countries into giving up their sovereignty. Plus, Iceland has probably been paying attention to the way the EU-backed sanctions against Russia have gone on to hurt European countries. With all that has transpired recently, it looks like a smart move for Iceland to slowly back away from the EU.
Reader Comments
I get excited about what Iceland stands up to. I know they are small with little resources and that's likely why they get away with rejecting what the PTB want, but for me it's the little guy standing up for what is right.
Ever since they decided to challenge the ability of bankster crooks to suck the wealth out of people, they have had my respect.
This decision again shows their pragmatic, no-nonsense attitudes about trying to prevent the loss of their independence and keeping the corruption that is endemic to the EU out of their country.
Let's hope that the US and the EU don't come up with some made-up excuse for sanctions, regime change, or bombing due to Iceland not being subservient.