Iceland is confident about getting a good deal but concerned over new probation rules for new EU members
Brussels should be “careful” about plans to make new countries wait before getting full voting rights, Iceland’s foreign minister told Euractiv, as Reykjavik prepares for a referendum on reopening EU membership talks.
The EU should be wary of putting future members through a probation period before granting them full voting and veto rights, said Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, warning that such an approach would make membership less attractive.
Asked about recent proposals to limit a new member country’s ability to use veto powers on sensitive issues such as taxation and foreign policy, Gunnarsdóttir said the idea was “not so exciting” and warned that the EU should “be careful of going this path.”
The debate has gained traction as EU capitals look for ways to stop individual member states from blocking major decisions – particularly after years of Hungarian obstruction over Ukraine. Gunnarsdóttir said she understands why Brussels is considering safeguards after “16 years of Orbán” – especially when it comes to preventing one country from blocking support for Ukraine.
