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Marta Kos downplays impact of Iceland's referendum defeat on European Union enlargement goals

The European Union is maintaining its momentum for enlargement despite Iceland's recent referendum defeat. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated that the result does not mean the EU has become less attractive, noting that more progress has been made toward bringing in new members over the past eight months than in any year of the previous 25 years.

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During a high-level meeting in Dublin, Marta Kos emphasized that the EU is more than just an economic community and highlighted the need for Europe to stand together against security threats from Russia. Ireland's Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, also downplayed the effect of the vote, stating that the candidate countries are working hard to continue the accession process. Byrne noted that Iceland's decision was driven by specific domestic issues, such as its maritime fishing industry, and that the country will remain part of the European Economic Area. The administration announced a proposal for reforming an expanded Union to be published at the end of the month. Meanwhile, the EU is working on safeguards to prevent democratic and rule-of-law backsliding among new member states.

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