Mr President, Iceland is a small country but of great importance. It has contributed to forming our understanding of democracy and of the safeguarding of citizens’ rights. There is in the Nordic area a mythical character to its democratic tradition that is based on reality.
I think it is important to look at and discuss the details in the negotiations but also to see the bigger perspective. A European Union reaching from Iceland to Cyprus will not only be a better Union but also a stronger Union. Stronger in the Nordic area, stronger in the Arctic area, but also stronger in the sense that is proving, as Iceland has demonstrated, that you can deal with economic crisis as a modern market economy and you can deal with all the future challenges.
And I think it is important that we secure an agreement with Iceland that can get the full support of the Icelandic people.