Zwischen Skepsis und Ann herung - Island und die Europ ische Union

Iceland is the only Nordic country which has never applied for membership of the EU. The Icelandic political elite has successfully kept the issue out of the mainstream political discussion. But their actions have not been in line with the political discourse: during the last few decades Iceland has established closer ties to European integration and the EU and, due to decisions made by the political elite, is deeply involved in the processes of European integration. This paper examines the steps which Iceland has taken towards European integration since World War II. The attitudes of the politicalelite, of certain organized groups as well as of the population in general are presented and the reasons for Iceland’s reserved attitude towards the EU are discussed.