DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇸 Iceland /Elections & Politics

Progressive Party Leader Questions Foreign Minister on EU Fisheries Policy Claims

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Lilja Dagg Alfreðsdóttir, leader of the Progressive Party, questions Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir's statements about potential Icelandic exemptions from EU fisheries policy.
  • Alfreðsdóttir demands concrete evidence supporting claims of exemptions, stating that general references to private conversations are insufficient.
  • She argues that the Icelandic public deserves clear information about the prerequisites for EU accession negotiations before the August 29th referendum.

Lilja Dagg Alfreðsdóttir, chairwoman of Iceland's Progressive Party, has voiced strong skepticism regarding statements made by Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir concerning potential Icelandic exemptions from the European Union's common fisheries policy.

Yes, it is far too early to say and this is not in line with my conversations, including with the Dutch and my colleagues

— Þorgerður Katrín GunnarsdóttirThe Foreign Minister's original statement, later corrected, suggesting discussions about potential exemptions.

Alfreðsdóttir stated that Gunnarsdóttir's claims, which suggested discussions with Dutch officials about possible exceptions, are insufficient. She emphasized that the Dutch Prime Minister has publicly stated that EU member states must adhere to the common fisheries policy. Furthermore, Dutch authorities have denied giving any assurances of exemptions or special arrangements to Iceland.

It is not a matter of a politician's off-the-cuff remarks. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands has publicly stated that countries joining the European Union must adhere to its common fisheries policy

— Lilja Dagg AlfreðsdóttirAlfreðsdóttir's response to Gunnarsdóttir's claims, highlighting the official Dutch stance.

"It is not enough to refer to unspecified conversations," Alfreðsdóttir asserted, demanding that Gunnarsdóttir provide concrete proof. She questioned the specifics of these alleged conversations, including when they occurred, who was present, and whether official records were kept. Alfreðsdóttir stressed that the Icelandic public has a right to know the realistic conditions for EU accession negotiations ahead of the August 29th referendum.

Dutch authorities have since denied that Jetten, his ministers or officials gave Icelandic authorities assurances of exemptions, special solutions or permanent deviations from that policy.

— Lilja Dagg AlfreðsdóttirAlfreðsdóttir pointed out the Dutch government's denial of any such assurances.

Alfreðsdóttir concluded that the burden of proof lies with those who claim that permanent exemptions are a viable option. She argued that informal discussions do not constitute a mandate for the nation, and wishful thinking is an inadequate basis for decisions concerning Iceland's control over its primary resource.

It is not enough to refer to unspecified conversations

— Lilja Dagg AlfreðsdóttirAlfreðsdóttir dismissed Gunnarsdóttir's reliance on private discussions as insufficient evidence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog