EU's power system overlooked in membership debate, says ex-president

Former Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson asserts that the intricate power structures of the European Union have been largely neglected in the ongoing debate about Iceland's potential membership. Speaking at a public forum in Reykjavik, Grímsson criticized the focus on trivial matters like coffee prices, stating that the EU represents one of the most comprehensive and meticulously designed power systems established in Europe since World War II.

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The European Union's power and legal system has largely been forgotten in the discussion about potential EU membership talks for Iceland.

Grímsson highlighted the critical importance of understanding the EU's foundational treaties, including the Lisbon, Maastricht, and Rome agreements. He argued that these treaties are the backbone of the Union, defining its operational mechanisms and its capacity for adaptation and growth. The former president expressed bewilderment that the Lisbon Treaty, in particular, has received so little attention in the public discourse.

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The European Union is the most comprehensive, detailed, and well-organized power system that has been created in our part of the world since the Second World War.

He also raised concerns about the potential for EU institutions to override national sovereignty, citing an expert opinion that even negotiated exemptions, such as those related to fisheries, could be unilaterally annulled by the European Court of Justice. Grímsson stressed that this transfer of state power to the EU is substantial and undeniable. He pointed out that no new nation has joined the EU since 2013, suggesting a broader trend or hesitation regarding expansion. For Grímsson, the core issue is the EU's power system, with all other considerations being secondary.

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The Lisbon, Maastricht, and Rome treaties are its pillars. They define the very functioning of the European Union and how it can address new problems and evolve.