Iceland begins early voting on EU membership talks referendum

Iceland has begun early voting in a referendum on whether to resume negotiations on joining the European Union.

Voters are being asked whether Iceland should resume negotiations on joining the European Union, Caliber.Az reports, citing Le Figaro.

The main day of voting is scheduled for August 29.

According to a Gallup poll published in late June, 52% of respondents support reopening accession talks, while 48% oppose the move.

Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, but formally suspended accession negotiations in 2015.

The country is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen Area, but it is not part of the EU Customs Union.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov