Minister Riekstins welcomes European Commission opinion on Iceland's EU membership application

On 24 February, the European Commission delivered its Opinion (avis) on Iceland's application for membership of the European Union. The European Commission recommends the Council to open accession negotiations with the Republic of Iceland. The Commission's Opinion is to be approved by the Council of the European Union in March. If all the Member States will endorse the Commission opinion, the EU accession talks with Iceland can be launched in spring.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes the Commission Opinion on Iceland's application for the EU membership. "I had no doubts about a positive opinion by the Commission. Iceland is a country with an early democratic tradition, and has already been applying most of the acquis, due to being part of the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area.

I hope that the accession negotiations with the Republic of Iceland will open in the nearest future. Latvia is ready to convey to Iceland its EU integration experience in the areas where it could be required," Foreign Minister indicated.

Iceland submitted its EU membership application on 16 June 2009. On 23 July 2009, the Council of the European Union invited the Commission to prepare an opinion on Iceland's application.

Iceland was the first country to officially recognise the independence of the Republic of Latvia in August 1991. Diplomatic relations between Latvia and Iceland were renewed on 22 August 1991. Latvia and Iceland have close and friendly relations both on bilateral basis and within international formats.

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