Poll: Majority in Iceland now for EU-membership

[Јas]

Given the importance of fisheries to Iceland, I'm a little surprised. I wouldn't have thought the prospect of dealing within the Common Fisheries Policy would be all that acceptable.

[Јas]

Turkey, Croatia, et al. are going to be sooooo pissed if Iceland just leapfrogs them into the EU.

Turkey are used to it by now - they applied to join the (then) EC in 1987, so they've been overtaken by countries that didn't even exist when they lodged their application.
Don't know about any likely Croatian response.

At any rate, Icelandic membership of the EEA and their stable economy and solid human rights record make them well palced to join at their own leisure.

[Јas]

They need to rename the European Union if they are going to let countries that aren't even part of Europe in.

When can we expect the United States of America to do likewise?

[Јas]

Yes yes Iceland all other factors considered doesn't = Turkey...but to pretend the whole process is about economics and human rights is well...humorous

Well for most countries it is. I think it's fair to say that Iceland easily meet all of the Copenhagen Criteria.

Of course, the fact that Turkey is majority muslim has caused difficulties and concerns for some; but there are legitimate human rights concerns which are stalling their progress.

[Јas]

They need to rename the European Union if they are going to let countries that aren't even part of Europe in.

Oddly enough, being geographically in Europe isn't actually a requirement to join.

Per what is now (IIRC) Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, only European states may apply to join. Also worth nmoting that not being European was the reason given for rejecting Morocco's application in the 80's.

[Јas]

They need to rename the European Union if they are going to let countries that aren't even part of Europe in.

Oddly enough, being geographically in Europe isn't actually a requirement to join.

Per what is now (IIRC) Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, only European states may apply to join. Also worth nmoting that not being European was the reason given for rejecting Morocco's application in the 80's.

geographically speaking Iceland is only half on the Eurasian tectonic plate where as the western half is part of the North American plate, so really something like 90% of Iceland's population lives in North America (only using very broad terms though). Though using this definition parts of Russia and Japan would also be included in North America. link: http://www.iris.edu/seismon/imgs/plates.gif

Well, the definition of European (in terms of potential for EU membership) is probably as important in the cultural sense as in the geographic sense.

[Јas]

A good chunk of Kazakhstan is west of the Urals.  Could it be part of the EU?

Given that Turkey is only partially in Europe, and is on the path to membership, presumably similarly Kazakhstan also meets the requirements.

The Council of Europe have accepted that their partial presence in Europe meets their geographical requirements for membership.

Streching for other points, their football teams participate in European, rather than Asian, competitions.

All in all, I'd imagine they can make a reasonable claim for meeting the EU's geographaic requirement.