Icelanders have voted against reopening European Union membership negotiations, rejecting a government push for closer ties with the bloc amid growing Arctic tensions.
Results from Saturday’s referendum showed 52.8 percent voted against holding EU negotiations, while 47.2 percent supported the proposal and the voter turnout reached 82.5 percent according to Reuters.
Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said Iceland would instead focus on strengthening its existing relationship with the EU through the European Economic Area agreement.
“A big lesson for me and also for the government is that people are happy with the EEA agreement,” Frostadottir said.
Fishing emerged as a major issue during the campaign as the industry accounts for around 15 percent of Iceland’s economy through direct and indirect contributions and about 40 percent of export revenue.
The government had argued EU membership could provide greater protection against trade disputes and increasing geopolitical competition in the Arctic.
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