Cristian Preda MEP

A referendum on the so-called ‘Icesave Agreement' was held in Iceland on Saturday, 9 April. The result of the vote was negative, with 58,9% of the population voting against the agreement concluded by the government with the Netherlands and the UK.

As repeated several times by the European Commission and the European Parliament, Icesave is a bilateral deal that bears no direct connection to Iceland's accession to the EU.

The Government of Iceland announced yesterday that it will submit its observations to the EFTA Surveillance Authority, which has initiated infringement proceedings against Iceland on this issue on 26 May 2010.

 "We will have to wait therefore for the ESA decision on the matter in order to make sure that Iceland fulfils its commitments as a member of the European Economic Area" has stated EP rapporteur Cristian Preda (RO).

"I can only hope that the matter will not drag on for a long time and that a solution will be found that will allow Iceland to fully dedicate its attention to the EU accession process", Preda added.

For further information:
Cristian Dan PREDA MEP, Tel: +33-3-88-175261
Eugen Sandu, EPP Group Press & Communications Service, Tel: +32-472-547584