EU accession rules must be adopted in full, report finds

Any country seeking to join the European Union must commit to adopting the bloc's extensive body of regulations in its entirety. This principle forms the bedrock of accession negotiations, according to a memo prepared for the Confederation of Icelandic Employers (SA).

While the possibility of securing permanent exemptions from certain EU rules is not entirely ruled out in theory, the established practice is that such concessions are not made available to new member states. This underscores the comprehensive nature of the integration process.

The memo, authored by former law professor Stefán Már Stefánsson and Supreme Court lawyer Óttar Pálsson, delves into the legal foundations and procedures of accession talks. It also examines the potential for special arrangements and the specific context of Iceland's previous negotiations, as well as the role of the Althingi, Iceland's parliament.