Memo: Statement by Commissioner Štefan Füle following his meeting with Őssur Skarphéðinsson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met with the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Ossur Skarphéðinsson in Brussels on Monday 8 April 2013 to discuss the advanced state of play in EU-Iceland relations. They reviewed the good progress achieved so far in the EU accession negotiations where 27 chapters have been already opened, of which 11 have been provisionally closed, and appreciated the constructive dialogue in the process. In addition, they welcomed that negotiations on food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary issues are advanced, and that the chapter is about to be opened. The Commissioner expressed full understanding for Iceland's sensitivities with regard to the import of live animals, bearing in mind Iceland's geographic, veterinary and phytosanitary specificities.

ESO: Background Information: Iceland and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/iceland-and-the-european-union/

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