00:00Iceland is voting this week on whether to restart talks to join the European Union,
00:04a debate that has taken on new urgency amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
00:10The country has long prised its independence,
00:13but concerns over security and its relationship with the United States
00:17are now adding to the case for closer ties with Europe.
00:22Supporters say EU membership could help Iceland strengthen its economy,
00:26stand up to larger trade partners and better navigate growing rivalry in the Arctic.
00:31That includes concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's push for control of neighboring Greenland.
00:36But the referendum does not decide on EU membership.
00:40A yes vote would only restart accession talks that were suspended in 2013
00:45after a Eurosceptic government came to power.
00:48Since then, rising living costs, the war in Ukraine and a changing security environment
00:53have revived the debate over EU membership.
00:56The vote is expected to be closed,
00:58with polls showing supporters and opponents almost evenly split.
01:02Opponents say the country already enjoys many of the benefits of European integration
01:07without giving up its independence.
01:09And fishing is a major part of that argument.
01:12There are concerns that EU membership could give foreign fleets greater access to its waters.
Comments