In recent months we've heard so much disdain voiced for Iceland and its financial institutions, 'the arc of insolvency' being the popular insulting slogan from the unionist parties. Yes of course, Icelandic banks were very vulnerable, but who pulled the trigger? Gordon and his Darling. Let's move on.
Now Iceland is reportedly considering joining the EU, for many reasons and not least because it thinks its present currency (the kronur) would never gain respect again. Sensible.
The main opposition to joining the EU comes from the Icelandic fishing industry. More than 70% of Iceland's exports are from fish and fish products and vital to this small country. Iceland has fought long and hard to preserve its fishing industry, including the 'cod wars' against Britain in the 50s and 70s, when Iceland won the right to assert exclusive control over its traditional grounds and Scotland badly lost out.
Fishermen are aware joining the EU would mean they couldn't keep their fisheries policies intact, but how much would they be prepared to give up in order to stabilise Iceland's future? That remains to be seen, but the EU seems keen to "quickly complete negotiations" if they do wish to join.
How does this affect Scotland? If Iceland says yes, Scotland would welcome their expertise in managing fisheries, along with the hope that we would gain some access to Icelandic waters. The bargaining power the Icelandics will have with regard to EU fishing policy is great - meanwhile Scotland can only look on with envy, as Iceland would be treated as an equal on the international stage.
There's the small matter of Iceland having no government at present, but that will be resolved in the next couple of months. Then the people will decide. We can count ourselves lucky we have a good man in Richard Lochhead who would do his best to ensure we get a slice of the cake (or should that be fish).
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11 comments:
Iceland should stay out the EU. In the short term yes it makes sence to join but in the long term i think they will loose out.
So much of the country depends on fishing and joining the EU would weaken this. Iceland is down in the dumps at the mo but in 5 years time they will be fine. The country has a highly skilled workforce.
Did the Russians not say they would bail them out ?
Spook, where do they go for support? The US? As a small independent country they need support from others. The Scandinavian countries aren't in the EU and have offered no help whatsoever.
No decision has been made. Once the new government is formed them the people will decide.
Either way I'm sure Scotland will continue to have a good relationship with Iceland (as we have since a few years after the cod wars which were brought about my a UK government).
The London Government is not interested in the Scottish Fisheries. They refused to help when the cost of diesel rose by 40%, threatening skippers with bankruptcy. There is no precedent for them promoting the interests of Scotland's fisheries. They are simply not interested.
A nice picture of Iceland, though.
WW, it's well known the UK government don't give a toss for the Scottish fishing industry. Over and over they've sold us down the river. (You choose which one).
Richard Lochhead has tried his uptmost to improve the situation with minimal results, but if Iceland do join the EU, then there is a good chance we will have a trustworthy partner.
Subrosa, Iceland blames the USA for its crises, the Icelandic gov told the US to get off Iceland.
Iceland will do just fine on its own. They can apply for a huge IMF loan then pay it back when they are up and running. Iceland is just the tip of the iceberg (pardon the pun) and many more will follow.
I sometimes dont understand your blogs(guess I am too young for politics - but i make sure i read your entire blog)
it is quite informative
someday it will help me do a project(who knows)
but keep writing and i will keep reading
Cheers..,
Boredum
PS: what does Subrosa mean??
Nice to hear from you boredum. I doubt if many people understand my blog so you're not alone! My idea is to write about things which interest me and usually concern Scotland.
I read your blog regularly. Still can't believe your teachers allow you to read books in class :)
Subrosa means confidential, secret. It's an old military term. As you'll know the direct translation is sub=under rosa=rose. When I started playing bridge online, some years ago now, I had to think of a nickname and that's the one I came up with and I've just held onto it. Hope that helps a little.
Spook, from what I read Iceland lays a lot of the blame at the feet of the UK government for their behaviour.
I took the gist of this article from the main Icelandic newspaper. The worry there at present is whether their money (the kronur) will ever be respected as a currency again. Along with fishing their other asset is their finance industry and they desperately need that to become respected again as quickly as possible.
How they intend to do that I've no idea. I think it will take a lot longer than 5 years for it to happen though, more like a generation.
Hello Subrosa,
The UK could not wait to have a go at Iceland due to the fact that they got one over them in the Cod wars, twice, despite the UK sending destroyers to tackle trawlers.
The present gloating and sneering going on over Iceland and Ireland is just digusting stuff especially when you see the debt mountain we are accumulating.
That is now politicians from Ireland, Iceland, and Norway who are p***** of with the UK, and all have written articles to say so. Imagine if we were to hear that the Taoiseach was doing hand stands and backflips because of the UKs financial predicament, would we not get offended, would Queen Mandy not be having hissy fits?
Good Blog thanks.
Hello KW, good post and thanks for popping in.
You're bang on there KW, it's all about revenge. I really don't want to be associated with the UK any longer than I can help and one of the reasons is our reputation worldwide now.
It's time the Scots wakened up. Can't they see rowing your own boat is far better than stuck in the galley for someone else. My age group amaze me, so status quo minded. Why I don't know. It's all down to the younger generations it seems.
Is it me always thinking the worst? But I used to buy a lot of Icelandic fish in Marks for the last few years and for a while now I don't see it offered.
They haven't got a secret trade embargo going on as well, it's obvious their banks were crashed to capture their oil reserves for Europe. The Europeans must hate Norway with a passion and "will do anything it takes" to prevent a recurrence of a similar rich nation out of their clutches.
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