What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning rural development in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning rural development in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?

Regional development is covered under Chapter 22. Negotiations began with the opening of the chapter on 18 December 2012. They had not been concluded when negotiations were put on hold.

The negotiating objectives were:

• Iceland would accept a common regulatory framework subject to special arrangements.
• Distance from other member states, the country's isolation, difficult terrain, climate, and the distinctive nature of the Icelandic economy were factors to be taken into account. Iceland is the northernmost country in Europe, small, sparsely populated, and highly rural.
• Iceland requested that account be taken of its permanent disadvantages and special characteristics through appropriate measures.

See more information in the memorandum by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at the request of the Althing's Foreign Affairs Committee on 17 April 2026 (in Icelandic).

See Chapter 22 of the accession negotiations in 2009-2013 on the accession website.

See a complete overview of chapters of the 2009 - 2013 accession negotiations.