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At the meeting with the delegation of Iceland’s negotiators for the accession negotiations with the European Union on 5 June in Vilnius, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Vytautas Leškevičius stressed Lithuania’s strong commitment to make every effort to have Iceland’s accession negotiations with the EU finalised during Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council.

“Lithuania is ready to share its negotiating experience and also keen to help Iceland in every possible way to prepare for the EU membership. Successful completion of the negotiations with Iceland would give new and positive impetus to the EU enlargement policy,” Leškevičius said.

A round table discussion of experts was held on the eve of the meeting and attended by Iceland’s negotiators for the EU membership, former negotiating team for the accession of Lithuania, and representatives from Lithuanian institutions. The round table discussion focused on sharing of Lithuania’s experience of European integration and EU membership with Iceland. Participants also agreed on action plan for cooperation with an aim to complete Iceland’s accession negotiations during Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council.

The event was financed under the Foreign Ministry’s project “The assessment of the participation of Lithuania in the EU initiatives”. The main objective of the project is the strengthening of Lithuania’s role in the formation and implementation of the EU’s enlargement strategy and possible initiatives of Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council.

Iceland launched its accession negotiations with the European Union on July 27, 2010. Iceland and the EU already enjoy economic and other ties. Iceland is part of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, the European Free Trade Association, the European Economic Area and the Schengen area. Therefore, the process of the implementation of reforms necessary for accession to the EU and harmonisation of law will not last long.

By 1 June 2012, Iceland had opened 15 negotiating chapters, 10 of which have already been closed. Iceland aims to conclude its accession negotiations with the European Union before the end of 2013, i.e., during Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council.