Iceland will decide whether or not to resume the process of joining the EU

Icelandwill hold a consultation on Saturday to decide whether to resume negotiations to join the European Union (EU). The polls do not predict a clear outcome, although they give a slight advantage to the 'yes' vote.

Such a referendum would be the first step in a process that would include a new popular consultation, following a possible agreement between Reykjavik and Brussels, which should overcome Iceland's historical reluctance to join the EU even though it has been part of the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1994.

According to polls, there is a small majority in favor of continuing the talks. The opponents of initiating the talks use as an argument the impact that the decision would have on the fisheries sector, which accounts for 40% of the country's economy.

The first talks began in 2010, and three years later Iceland suspended them because of the potential impact on fishing. Europar The entry into Europe can lead to part of the control of the fisheries sector being transferred to Brussels, Gudrun Hafsteinsdóttir, the leader of the Icelandic opposition, has warned in a campaign.

The Prime Minister, Kristrun Frostadóttir, and especially theLiberal Finance Minister, Dadi Már Kristófersson , the driving force behind the referendum, have defended their accession to Europe, first by explaining to the public that they can obtain substantial concessions in the fisheries sector from Brussels, and then that the adoption of the euro would bring benefits to Icelandic companies and citizens in general.

Both, moreover, see the Scandinavian country stronger than it did 20 years ago, when the economic crisis hit Iceland hard.

Brussels welcomes Iceland's accession to the European bloc from the outset and announces a rapid accession process.