topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2132 0.59
DAX 6376.7 0.58
IBEX 30 6501.3 -0.64
CAC 40 3067.11 0.63
FTSE 100 5389.56 0.71
AEX 295.08 0.79
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13166.81 0.09
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4120.2 0.96
Hang seng 18800.99 0.47
Straits Times 2788.47 0.57
ISEQ 20 503.61 0.53
You are here: Home News Spanish News Spain says Icesave won't affect Iceland's EU bid

Spanish News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


10/01/2010Spain says Icesave won't affect Iceland's EU bid

The Spanish EU presidency has assured Iceland that the row over the Icesave bank collapse will not hurt Reykjavik's bid to join the European Union, Iceland's foreign ministry said on Saturday.

Reykjavik - The Spanish EU presidency has assured Iceland that the row over the Icesave bank collapse will not hurt Reykjavik's bid to join the European Union, Iceland's foreign ministry said on Saturday.

"The foreign minister of Iceland, Ossur Skarphedinsson, spoke today with Miguel Angel Moratinos, the foreign minister of Spain, which holds the presidency of the European Union," the ministry said in a statement.

"In their conversation, Moratinos stated that the Spanish EU presidency viewed the Icesave issue and Iceland's EU application as separate issues, and that the new situation that has arisen in Iceland would not have any impact on the EU's treatment of the application," it said.

On Friday, Moratinos told journalists the row, pitting Reykjavik against EU member states Britain and the Netherlands, "could slow the negotiation process a bit."

Iceland's President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson said on Tuesday he would not sign a controversial bill to compensate the British and Dutch governments for reimbursing Icesave investors, triggering anger in London and The Hague.

Grimsson said he would put the bill to a referendum instead, to be held by March 6 at the latest.

Iceland's submitted its EU application in July, in the hope that membership would help stabilise the economy following the October 2008 collapse of its once-booming financial sector.

AFP/Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating:

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Technology in Spain

Sat phones/internet links

English in Spain

What is the best travel insurance cover to Spain?

American in Spain

U.S. citizens, plan to vote in 2012? Did you know...

Relocation to Spain

thinking of moving to madrid

Jobs in Spain

Job Agencies or how to find work.

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.