Iceland's parliament began a final debate today on whether to authorise the government of the economically crippled island nation to begin accession talks with the European Union, Reuters reported. Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, elected earlier this year after the previous government fell amid protests over its failure to avert a financial meltdown that has devastated the economy, has made joining the 27-nation bloc a top priority. "We are close to a democratic and informed conclusion on this important issue, a conclusion that will no doubt facilitate our economic recovery," she told parliament. "I don't doubt for a minute that we would be better off had we been EU members already when the calamity hit us last October." The resolution in the Althing would allow the coalition of pro-EU Social Democrats and more EU-sceptical Left-Greens to negotiate an accession deal with the bloc which would then be put before voters in a referendum. "I have ascertained that the bill will go through by next week and I hope some of the opposition will support us," Ossur Skarphedinsson, foreign minister and a senior Social Democrat leader, was quoted as saying on daily Morgunbladid's website. Arni Thor Sigurdsson, chair of the foreign affairs committee, told Reuters the debates would stretch into the weekend, with an extra parliamentary session on Saturday. EU officials have said member states would probably look favourably on an Icelandic application, and negotiations could move quickly because the country already has strong EU ties. Support for joining the EU has risen in Iceland since the collapse of its main commercial banks and currency in October last year, forcing the country to seek aid from the International Monetary Fund and various European countries.
