Small states and EU:s enlargement : explaining the Icelandic reorientation on EU-membership

Abstract: Abstract For a long time Iceland, the Nordic and the EFTA countries had a skeptical attitude against the EU, even if their economic interests was in favour to join EU. The study use rationalist’s approaches to explain the willingness of these states movement to the European integrate. This thesis seeks to analyze the Icelandic way to the EU membership application, by describing earlier Nordic and EFTA member states reorientations to the EU membership. The similar experiences from Sweden, Finland and Norway compare the Icelandic case. The used method is qualitative studies of literature and the main material is overarching policy documents from the government of Iceland. To conclude the study, all countries experience security, political and economic difficulties to join an integration system. After the serious damages from the global financial crisis 2008, Iceland expected higher economic benefits. Iceland understood, it could for the future secure its economical interests by joining the EU. Iceland became less stubborn toward EU and one effect of this kindness was to act rational by launching out its eagerly awaited EU membership application.   Keywords: EU, EFTA, Iceland, enlargement, European policy, Global financial crisis