Iceland, Ireland Urge EU to Boost Competitiveness, Defend Values
Speaking at a panel during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Türkiye on Saturday, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said her country is seeking to restart negotiations on EU membership.
She highlighted Iceland’s economic vulnerabilities, pointing to its small currency and persistent inflation and interest rate pressures. “We have the smallest currency in the world,” she said, noting that inflation levels are significantly higher than in much of Europe and that interest rates stand at around 8%.
Gunnarsdóttir stressed that Europe’s strength should not be judged solely by economic indicators such as growth or deregulation.
“Part of the very big bulk of Europe’s competitiveness is that Europe is sticking to its values,” she said.
She argued that the EU should take a stronger public stance in defending democracy, human rights, freedom, and territorial integrity.
The Icelandic minister also commended the EU for its support of Denmark in discussions concerning Greenland.
Irish representatives at the forum echoed broader calls for a more resilient and competitive European Union capable of responding effectively to global uncertainty.
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