Iceland Votes on Resuming EU Membership Talks Amid Greenland Discussion

<p>Icelanders voted on Saturday on whether to reopen negotiations to join the European Union, with President Donald Trump's interest in U.S. control of neighboring Greenland influencing the debate. Iceland, located in the North Atlantic and approximately 180 miles from Greenland, does not have its own military and relies on NATO and a defense agreement with the United States for security, according to RTE and The Associated Press.</p><p>Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland has raised concerns among some Icelanders regarding national security and whether closer ties with the EU could enhance their security. Roughly 275,000 eligible voters were asked whether Iceland should resume membership negotiations with the EU, with results not officially announced as of Saturday evening.</p><p>If the referendum passes, Iceland would resume negotiations with the EU, followed by another referendum on actual membership, as reported by RTE. Iceland's government, led by Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, has stated it will respect the result, although the referendum is technically nonbinding.</p><p>Frostadóttir described the campaign as an exciting and tight race, stating it has elevated discussions about Iceland's geopolitical situation. While domestic and economic issues have been central to the referendum campaign, Trump's ambitions for Greenland have also influenced the debate regarding Iceland's position in Europe and the global landscape.</p><p>Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, previously stating the U.S. would obtain the strategically important Arctic island “one way or the other.” The Trump administration has considered various options for acquiring Greenland, including military force, which would challenge NATO's collective-defense commitments.</p><p>Trump has occasionally confused Iceland with Greenland in discussions, according to the AP. Earlier this year, Iceland was mentioned in the context of a joke made by former Rep. Billy Long, now Trump's ambassador to Iceland, about the country potentially becoming the “52nd state” with him as its governor.</p><p><i>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</i></p>