President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek welcomes today's Commission's opinion recommending the opening of accession negotiations with Iceland.  

EP President Jerzy Buzek said: "Iceland's application for membership shows that the European ideals are reaching the farthest corner of Europe and inspires hope, prospect, solidarity.  It is my strong belief that Iceland has a place in the European Union family.

There will be some important issues to negotiate, but I hope that the accession process will proceed smoothly.  I was happy to meet the Speaker of the oldest Parliament in the world, last November and we agreed to work together to set up an EP-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee in the near future.

It is my strong belief that Iceland, the one of the oldest parliamentary democracy in the world, has a place in the European Union family."

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For further information:
Inga Rosińska, Spokeswoman
Mobile: +32 (0)498 981 354