The convergence of domestic political developments and heightened North Atlantic security concerns is accelerating the debate over Iceland's membership of the European Union and increasing the possibility of a referendum to resume accession talks. On Feb. 23, Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir said that her government would submit to Parliament a bill to organize a referendum on whether to reopen negotiations to join the European Union. Gunnarsdottir said that the bill would be submitted "before the summer" but declined to provide a specific date. Also on Feb. 23, Politico reported that a referendum could take place as early as August. Separately, Iceland's finance ministry announced that it was working on an assessment about the advantages and disadvantages of using the Icelandic krona compared to adopting the euro, which should be published by the end of June. ...
