Iceland ex-foreign minister discusses EU referendum, Arctic security and fisheries sovereignty (euobserver.com)

• Iceland's EU referendum set for 29 August 2026.
• Former foreign minister calls for broader geopolitical debate beyond economics.
• Fisheries sovereignty and green energy control are major domestic concerns.
• Arctic ice melt could transform Iceland into a strategic shipping hub.

"Iceland will hold a referendum on 29 August 2026 on whether to reopen EU accession negotiations. Former foreign minister Thórdís Kolbrún Gylfadóttir argues the debate should include geopolitical and security dimensions, not just economics. She notes Iceland is geographically distant from Russia but vulnerable to hybrid threats and maritime disruptions. Fisheries sovereignty remains a key cultural and economic issue. The interview highlights tensions between EU integration and Iceland's control over its fishing industry and green energy resources."