According to German news source Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Christian Social Union of Bavaria party which is the sister party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany is not satisfied and against the Icelandic application for European Union membership. Markus Ferber, leader of the CSU, says that the European Union cannot rescure and pull Iceland out of the economic crisis.
Markus Ferber continues on saying that it is important to discuss the structure and development of the European Union better before more countries are invited for membership. View the full article on the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
[…] Island ist wenig amüsiert: CSU missbilligt Beitritt Island zur Europäischen Union und bestätigen: Bayerische Freistaatler sind eine ganz spezielle Sorte Aussenpolitiker, so viel steht fest. […]
>We have a expression in the states witch said”be careful for what you wish ’cause you might very well get it”
Now say that in Spanish :) .
Let’s hope for iceland that the german does them a favor and keeps them out of EU,because if they don’t before they will have time to bat a eye lash the same third world invasion that as been unleash on the other scandi.countries will arrive in Iceland.We have a expression in the states witch said”be careful for what you wish ’cause you might very well get it”
Again, you’re just saying frightening statements that are known to freak out the “guy from the street”, like the fact that your country could be “invaded” by nasty unemployed people who would take advantage of all social contributions. That’s ridiculous…
Moreover you’re completely mistaken. The removal of border controls and the right of stay in a european country is granted by the Schengen agreement, wich has nothing to do with the EU and wich Iceland is already a member of since 1996. So you were “dumb enough to join” Schengen, and have you seen a rise in immigration, corruption, high crime rate, … ?! According to your own statements, I suppose not.
Stop being afraid of change. Again, I’m well aware that EU is not perfect, but unlike you, I’m also aware of all the positive aspects of the EU (the main and critical one for Iceland being a strong currency like Euro), and I want my country to take part and try to make things better.
Just assume that Iceland stays out. There are world challenges lying ahead of us, like enforcing financial markets and stop global warming, to name a few. What can Iceland do about that? Nothing, just like Belgium, France or UK if they were alone. So your country will just keep on doing nothing and following the superpowers’ will, without ever being able to contribute… Just to protect you from ghosts like dilution of your national feelings, or fear of immigration. Basically, your attitude just consists in burying your own head in the sand, and that’s sad…
Anyway, not all Icelanders seem to be against, just as a glimpse… ;) http://www.enews20.com/news_Bjork_says_Iceland_should_join_the_European_Union_13893.html
The YouTube video is shot by the Norwegian coastguard
and is 100% reliable, no doubt about that,
it shows a Scottish EU trawler killing fish, this is not what we call fishing over here,
the comments below the video can tell you a thing or two about who’s fault the very obvious problem is,
if that is a mystery to someone ;)
the StarWars music is bit silly, probably to add drama to the video, the sound is bad and it looks like a low budget video, but that does not change the information in the video, much of it is very interesting.
I am sure every one is happy in the Eurozone, in the near future i suspect it will be the same kind of happy experienced by the former residents of DDR, no one leaves the EU, they dont get shot if they do, just cut off from busyness, sanctions etc,
may be they will even get declared as a terrorist state,
If we were dumb enough to join we would get a avalanche of immigrants who would work here for foreign owned company’s for a fragment of the salary Icelanders get, this is something i don’t want, i am sure the foreigners who moved to Iceland in the last years don’t want that either, they moved over here to get away from poverty and all the misery that comes with it, like corruption, high crime rate etc, i realize we have problems, the EU will just add to them.
Hae !
Yes ! I hope also that Iceland can join so soon as possible !!
It was not the people in Iceland who caused the finance-problem.
Well, what can I say… With angry fishermen leaving comments on YouTube videos and a DailyMotion video with a Star Wars music in the back, clearly you have unquestionable arguments! I give up… Or not. ;)
“Ireland is in ruins?! Just exagerate a little more, and you’ll turn Ireland into a third world country! Ireland development is totally due to its accession to EU”
What i said is correct, look at this,
this shows you what the future has for you if the Lisbon treaty goes trough.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4291770489472554607&ei=VU4CSuO3M5Kv-AaN5KTABA&q=EU+nations
Balkanson:
The Problem in your perfect country are your own mafia politicians not the EU, as you have finally admitted.
And something more to tell you because it seems that you don’t know the geography well. In Bulgaria for example 90% of the people own their houses comparing to 90% of the Westerners who still don’t own any houses but own only mortgages. People on the Balkans produce at home their own organic vegetables, organic 40° grape brandy, amazing wine, and they still pay the cars and houses cache. Why they need your EU? What for they need your EUR credit prison? The Balkan mafia politicians sold their countries once to the Soviet Union and now to the EU. Very similar to Iceland which now takes credits from Russia and EU instead of trying to recover itself in a more intelligent way.
Hey, Bulgaria and Romania did not want to be in your EU, and no one from the ordinary people there. There are no benefits for the ordinary people at all. On the other side we have been in Italy and we know that the Italians can not cook, Italian vines have no taste, Italians barely speak foreign languages, Italians do not have hygiene and the Italian villages are not at all different from the villages in Bulgaria and Romania.
The only thing Iceland wants from Europe is its currency. If Iceland could adopt the euro without joining the EU, then it would. Unfortunately for Iceland, the Eurozone frowns most ferociously indeed on unilateral adoption of the euro.
@Spinoza:
Quote: “I don’t know, I have a mixed feeling about this. If we let Romania and Bulgaria in, why not Iceland? On the other hand, I don’t like the Icelanders attitude, which basically is: “We don’t give a sh*t about fraternity, unity and all the other good things, just take us out of the crisis”.
@Pedro:
Quote: “I don’t think EU should grant any bailout to Iceland. Iceland should pay their debts with their resources, but I think they can do it in a sustainable way.”
Exactly my oppinion. Iceland may join but they should show dignity and enough responsibility to be -not- another big burden to the EU. And use their ressources (energy, oil, fishing grounds) to bailout themselves out of their crisis. And of course change their political attitude towards the EU. We don’t need another denmark that hates EU but still wants the good sides. You cannot have the good sides without buying the bad sides. It is two sides of the same coin.
Pedro said,
“The only true value in the World is land (natural resources) and people. Money is just a figure created by central bankers. I believe Iceland fishing can contribute to healthy food in Europe and Iceland people can contribute to development in many areas from health to engineering. I am not Icelandic, been in Iceland several times and I think there is a great potential in Icelandic people.
“I don’t think EU should grant any bailout to Iceland. Iceland should pay their debts with their resources, but I think they can do it in a sustainable way.”
I agree with you Pedro,
no one expects any bail out from the EU, why would the EU bail out Iceland ?
we are not in the EU,
the problem is that we have the EU and IMF breathing down our necks because of our land and natural resources, and oil prospects and shipping lanes opening up in the Arctic, and claims to the Arctic region etc, we have so many thing they need,
as time passes that need becomes more urgent because of the poor state of the EU, both financial and moral, people will stop supporting this empire before long, we can hopefully speed up the process by rejecting the EU regardless of the punishment we will receive, Iceland has seen tough times before.
Spinoza said:
“We don’t give a sh*t about fraternity, unity and all the other good things, just take us out of the crisis”.
No one believes the EU will take us out of the crisis, what we want is peace to do that our selves, Iceland is not on any list of terrorist country’s anymore but Britain and Netherlands (EU) have presented Iceland with a IceSave deal that will ruin the country, they have made it clear that it can not be altered or renegotiated, if we don’t accept it they will impose sanctions on Iceland and cut it off from trading with the EU,
there are 11 ways for the Netherlands to forclose on the loan and as i understand the terms the whole country is collateral,
you can read the Icesave deal here
http://www.economicdisasterarea.com/index.php/features/the-icesave-agreements-pdf/
“And, by the way, Italy is the lazy man of EU, not Spain… I’m Italian living in Italy :)”
My bad :)
@Alex: I wasn’t talking just about you, but the “arrogant Icelanders”, the “drunken Finns” and “alcoholic Irishmen” are just all over the posts. It kinda makes me sick, just so offencing without bringing anything to the actual debate!
Ireland is in ruins?! Just exagerate a little more, and you’ll turn Ireland into a third world country! Ireland development is totally due to its accession to EU. The European Union contributed over €10 billion into its economic infrastructure! They don’t call it the Celtic Tiger for nothing… It’s still has the 5th GDP per capita in the world. If all ruined countries could look like that… Spain higly benefited from the single market after its post-Franco opening: they are in steady solid growth since the early 1980s. Estonia and Slovenia may not be pulling money from there (what a lovely guy you are…), but my point was their accession is helping their economic growth. Those are facts, you can’t deny the countries are developping like crazy since like 3-4 years. Anyway, I’m not going to remake the history of every single european country, my point is that an accession is profitable. I’m really looking forward to hearing your arguments about how portuguese hairy women and german giant beers are responsible for their development (or not), since you seem to like national cliché A LOT…
Anyway, when I’m saying that EU countries are benefiting from their accession (just look at the damn figures, I’m not sucking that from my thumb), I get your arguments over spanish siestas, but when I’m saying that Iceland’s a great country, I simply get a “That’s true”… Aren’t you a little bit chauvinistic? ;)
I’m sorry but you are just fool of prejudices: “the big angry rich neo-liberal Europeans just want your money, your energy, your oil and is just gonna leave your country devastated…” I’m not going to write you a thesis about Europe, we won’t change the world on this forum, but can’t you just take a little perspective? I’m from Belgium, little country like Iceland. I’ve basically always lived with EU, and I can’t imagine what it would be like without it. It’s highly profitable, and I’m not talking just about money. There are 27 countries in EU, and like 10 candidates, official or not. Your PM is actually thinking it’s a good idea for Iceland to join. What do you think, that we ALL are some kind of sadistic nations who get their money stolen, their economy ruined and their freedom taken away day after day?! Come on…
EU is not perfect (like every country in the world), don’t you think it would be for the greater good to join, to actually take part in the legislations you’re adopting anyway through EEA, to try to make things better, … ? I actually think it is, otherwise it’s just political passivity. Maybe things aren’t good everyday (like in every government in the world), but you can’t just pretend that it’s ALL bad cbeause the major part is actually pretty awesome.
Moreover, you live in a globalized world. What can european nations do if they’re not speaking as one, with a single strong voice? NOTHING, be it related to finance, global warming, or any other global issue… Just think twice about it! ;)
I don’t know, I have a mixed feeling about this. If we let Romania and Bulgaria in, why not Iceland? On the other hand, I don’t like the Icelanders attitude, which basically is: “We don’t give a sh*t about fraternity, unity and all the other good things, just take us out of the crisis”.
And, by the way, Italy is the lazy man of EU, not Spain… I’m Italian living in Italy :)
Thumb up to Pedro!
It is good to finally see some people here who have better vision and broader mind!
“Money is just a figure created by central bankers”
Love, countryside, glaciers. For everything else, there’s Mastercard. And the IMF.
@Pedro: Well said. I hope the Icelanders see it the same way.
To those in German bothering about cost help to former DDR. First in any economical calculation of the process it is unfair to see only one side of the balance sheet. Think how much land, and millions of people you have “bought” with all this INVESTMENT in former DDR. You were not giving money for free. It was not Marshall Plan II.
The same as regards with EU expansion. German economy is export driven. None of the big German companies would survive without export. Taking Eastern Europe into EU granted easier access to German products (check where your automotive companies still make money ). Germans pay most to EU but they earn most from EU. That is a fact hard to goble for some German ppl.
Many German have mixed feelings about Turkey joining EU. I think Turkey in EU would take plenty of presure from Germany. More opportunities for Turkish would probably mean less Turkish “occupation” of Germany. The same thing happened with Polish going to UK (2 mln ppl) instead of Germany what many Germans feared to happen.
The same refers to Iceland. The only true value in the World is land (natural resources) and people. Money is just a figure created by central bankers. I believe Iceland fishing can contribute to healthy food in Europe and Iceland people can contribute to development in many areas from health to engineering. I am not Icelandic, been in Iceland several times and I think there is a great potential in Icelandic people. This potential can work better in EU for the benefit of both Iceland and EU.
I don’t think EU should grant any bailout to Iceland. Iceland should pay their debts with their resources, but I think they can do it in a sustainable way.
Racal, i dont see how my comment is racist, but there is some ignorance in your reply,
“but as far as I know it has for the time being always been profitable for the countries that decided to join. Look at Ireland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Slovenia, Spain,”
Ireland is in ruins and if they are d*mb enough to allow the Lisbon treaty to go trough they are in even deeper sh*t, Luxembourg is always going to be ok because its the most rotten tax haven toilet on the planet, Estonia and Slovenia are not exactly pulling money out of their a**es, and Spain is the lazy man of Europe, getting loads of benefits of all sorts, why ?, probably because they are so cute when they sleep :)
This shows you why the EU need fish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIVPkbYV0CI
look at the comments below the video from EU fishermen
the EU are over exploiting 90% of their stocks
30% are endangered and or extinct,
do we trust them to control Icelandic fishing stocks who we have fought 3 cod wars to defend ?
you can answer that question yourself.
in fact the way EU operates its fishing industry shows you the way of thinking and the direction the EU is going, it can not last, any more than the Soviet Union did.
“Iceland is one of the wealthiest and greatest country in the world”
This is true, not because of energy, water, fish etc but because people here realize the most valuable assets are the land, sea and air,
if that turns to sh*t it will make life a lot harder for future generations,
of course the EU Neo-Liberal way of thinking does not reach that far,
The people who benefit from the EU are the rich,
the ones that loose are the stupid and the poor,
the decision to enter the EU or not will be made by the Icelandic public after being told how the EU will not give an inch in any regard what so ever, and after the IceSave deal gets rejected by pariament and a sh*t storm hits Iceland,
i would say the chances of EU membership are slim to say the least,
i dont mind paying the minimum compensation for IceSave, but this deal can not go trough as it is,
and it never will.
You should read this,
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/finances/docs/de_larosiere_report_en.pdf
“We must work with our partners to converge towards high global standards,
through the IMF, FSF, the Basel committee and G20 processes. This is critical.”
A New Word Order ;)
this is what this whole thing boils down to,
at the end of this process a few very rich people will own every thing, and trough a few magic tricks and “debt” they will own you too.
Iceland should be admitted to the union I do not see why some of you are so harsh again it’s admission. I am a Dutch living in the Netherlands antilles
“Iceland is one of the wealthiest and greatest country in the world”
Yes, it was for a few years until autumn 2008. Remember that, not long before its bubble, Iceland was the poorest country in Europe. It’s not obvious what will prevent it sliding back down once the full scale of its total debt obligations are eventually known.
You guys are just talking like a bunch of ignorant racists.
“it sucks money out of your wallet, and puts you in debt decades into time, so your unborn children and will pay the money you are told you owe
it sucks your freedom and democratic rights from you
it sucks fish out of the sea until nothing is left
it will suck all this oil up and burn it while talking about the global warming like it really matters to them
it will destroy Iceland’s priceless nature to suck up thermal and hydro energy to power heavy industry
in my mind the only way Iceland will ever join the EU is if they bomb it with a nuclear bomb first,
thats what it will look like after a few years in the EU anyway.”
You need to chill out man, the EU is not some kind of big multinational that’s gonna establish in Iceland once the country’s in to screw it over. You’re just saying stupid things that are know to freak out John Does, without giving a single argument and you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about.
Since when does a country need to give out fish, energy, or I dont know what other stuff to join the EU? That’s ridiculous! Moreover, Iceland’s already part of the EEE, they’re already under the major part of EU regulations, so basically nothing will change for us and them in regards to their energy and all other kinds of stuff. But it could actually change for the best in regards to matters like environment and financial safety!
The financial crisis badly hit them, and that’s what decided them that the EU could be profitable for them. That’s not really different from what started us to think about european integration back in 1957. Moreover, who told you that you would have anything to pay them to solve their crisis?! All european countries have debts, all of them. Does anyone ask you to pay a penny for the other?! You guys really should read a little bit before barking at each other…
Iceland is one of the wealthiest and greatest country in the world. If they want to take part in European construction, I really dont know why we should say no. They are geographically and historically european, and way more european than this Turkey they wannna impose us (but that’s another debate). EU may not be perfect, but as far as I know it has for the time being always been profitable for the countries that decided to join. Look at Ireland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Slovenia, Spain, … If they wanna join, let them negociate what they want and see if this could lead to a win-win situation. That’s it!
Gummi,
LOL again.
but you forget the UK and Netherlands: they should also pay compensation to Iceland for allowing Icesave to operate in their countries and demanding back some of their money!
IF you really want to join the EU change your arrogant attitude. You icelanders made your own mess. A few years ago ALL of you lived over your budget and YOU believed your greedy bankers. So do not blame the EU for it. AND moreso you are not in the position to make any demands you hear? What do you instead? Your government gives NOTHING in return.
Your oil? Your energy? Your fish? Sell it to us if you want but don’t try to blackmail us.
@ami: We germans were two times in a similar situation (after WW2) and now with the eastern part of germany? Do you icelanders habe a clue how expensive Eastern Germany is? 1500 billion euros we already spend to rebuild it. So do not claim we have cold hearts. Clean your own mess and do not ask other people to do so. That’s all.
I strongly disagree my angry fellow countryman. Welcome Iceland. I really hope that you could join as soon as possible.
>I definitely agree with them. We have already paid for the “advanced” and “innovative” businesses of your bankers and businessmen. We don’t want to pay anymore. Do you understand Icelanders?
My friends, I sense anger in these boards. Anger! We, the people of Iceland, are sympathetic. We feel your pain. We live through desperate times. But we do not indulge anger. We are above that. Before agreeing to join the greedy dictatorship of the EU, Iceland will demand significant financial reparations. Significant! Take heed, One Angry Finnish guy. These terms will be voted on by the Althingi as soon as Gummi returns from bank holiday inTortola. And yes, be assured (doubly assured!) that these are non-negotiable terms.
From the Republic of Ireland: indemnification for having polluted our gene pool with alcoholics, degenerates and congenital imbeciles. True, our
ancestors enslaved and dragged them away in chains. Does that excuse the Irish? No. It does not excuse them. They should have told us: “I am Irish . I am alcoholic. And an imbecile. Take me with you.” Had we known we would have left them on an iceberg. We were entrapped. Total damages: 100 billion Euro
From Finland: Ah, Finland. Reparations for pretending to be Nordic when they are in fact Hungarians. Their pretence has diminished the reputations of all true Nordic peoples (i.e., us). I cannot tell you how many times I have been stopped on the street of Tortola by a drunken Finn. Clad in traditional native costume of white belt, white shoes, hockey shirt, reindeer-skin and vomit, he will launch the traditional Finnish diatribe (“…Hitler wasn’t so bad! Sibelius is better than Bjork! Can I see your knife?”). My friends, it is time to teach those frozen penguins a lesson they won’t soon forget. (Or, at least until they invade Russia). I retch at the memory. Total damages: 500 billion Euro
We are still debating damages from France, Greece, Germany, and of course Spain.
Afram island!
Gummi
Sent from Gummi’s Blackberry in Tortola – expect typos
” here is a lot of good fish in the Iceland area, you have to see it to believe it!”
Do you really think the fish is what the Eu wants?
Move on from the old myth!! ENERGY is what they want, is plenty here and cheap not the god dam fish!! the country is F*CK and when the EU corporations take over the local energy, dooms day will fall, How much is the cost of energy in every EU nation?
A LOT!! same as with water.
This country has more than what they need of the two resources and instead of having used the chance and invest for long term profit now they will have to give for free!! ok it may give few jobs as investor will probably want to build power plants and find ways to “hook up” EU with the energy, but the side effect will be pollution and it will turn into a Sad nation and more influence by a cast system, where the land and resources dont belong to any local or just to Very few, let alone the happiness of not worrying too much about the cost of the energy in Iceland will be something from the past, people will be like the Danes and others, trying to save on the water they use and the energy mostly because of how expensive it is not because of the “environment”
Hey Who is helping whom, who is begging whom, it is always so interesting to see so many narrow minded harsh people here! They actually exist!
What if in hundred years, you German and Fin would fall into the same fate? Do you guys want your offspring to be treated in the way you treated other people???
Icelanders are small nations, has been screwed up by bad guys of Banks, but the people will overcome all the mess and difficulty eventually.
Open your eyes, and listen with your ears if you guys have. Be patient if you don´t have the wisdom to think, if you don´t have a good heart to offer.
“There is a lot of good fish in the Iceland area, you have to see it to believe it!”
Why do you think that is ?, why do you think the EU needs it so bad ?
because the EU sucks
it sucks money out of your wallet, and puts you in debt decades into time, so your unborn children and will pay the money you are told you owe
it sucks your freedom and democratic rights from you
it sucks fish out of the sea until nothing is left
it will suck all this oil up and burn it while talking about the global warming like it really matters to them
it will destroy Iceland’s priceless nature to suck up thermal and hydro energy to power heavy industry
in my mind the only way Iceland will ever join the EU is if they bomb it with a nuclear bomb first,
thats what it will look like after a few years in the EU anyway.
Iceland is begging, but they will also pay. There is a lot of good fish in the Iceland area, you have to see it to believe it! Not only that, but the oil that they are getting ready to discover and every major nation is lining up for, will belong to the EU if Iceland joins the team! Let iceland join, they have a lot to offer.
Then ask your “innovative” bankers to find solutions for your own mess. We all have to clean our mess in our own houses. What your doing is begging. And giving nothing in return. Moreso your just see your own profit and are not accepting the EU as an institution. Rethink your position. IF you want us to help you, you are not in the postition to make demands.
Hey Angry Finn, do you understand that the nation of Iceland is not made up solely of bankers and businessmen, and that we regular people have been screwed over by them?
Basically the CSU has the opinion that the EU is not there to solve the icelandic economic crisis. The party also wants to stop enlargement of the EU unless the EU has a clear view of its own future and organization.
Moreover this party has the opinion that admission of any new member to the EU should only take place after the german population has agreed to this in a referendum.
This last demand is not really directed against Iceland but against Turkey off course.
Since Germany is the big financer of the EU I do not think it is unreasonable to give the german population a say in the process of EU enlargement.
For all the EU critics on this forum it must be a relief to notice that parts of the EU do not want Iceland as a member at all.
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,636843,00.html (german only)
I definitely agree with them. We have already paid for the “advanced” and “innovative” businesses of your bankers and businessmen. We don’t want to pay anymore. Do you understand Icelanders?