REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Iceland's government wants to hold a referendum in August on whether to restart membership talks with the European Union, more than a decade after getting cold feet about joining the bloc.
The Cabinet approved a resolution Friday calling for an Aug. 29 vote on resuming accession talks, national broadcaster RUV reported. The proposal must be approved by Iceland's parliament, the Althingi, before the vote can happen.
The decision for the fiercely independent Arctic island nation with a population of just 400,000 comes as concerns grow about geopolitical instability and economic pressures.
Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir's center-left coalition government, elected in 2024, had said it wanted to hold a vote by 2027, but sped up that timetable after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to take over neighboring Greenland.
Trump several times referred to Greenland as Iceland during a heated international spat about the president's aim of acquiring the vast Arctic territory.
The rising cost of living, Russia’s war in Ukraine and trans-Atlantic tensions have also contributed to growing concerns about Iceland's security. The volcanic island nation has no army and relies on NATO and a bilateral defense agreement with the United States.
For decades, Iceland avoided seeking EU membership because it was concerned it would be forced to share its rich North Atlantic fishing grounds with boats from other European nations.
It applied to join the bloc in 2009, after the country's debt-burdened banking sector collapsed during the 2008 global financial crisis. Talks were suspended in 2013, when a center-right government came to power, and they formally ended in 2015.
Iceland participates in the EU’s single market through the European Economic Area, and is part of the Schengen free-travel zone.
Ten countries are currently in accession talks with the EU, with Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine top of the list.
Joining the bloc requires a yearslong process run by the European Commission assessing 35 sets of criteria from transparency and financial systems to fisheries, transport networks, agricultural regulations, and freedoms like speech and religion.
All current EU member nations must unanimously agree to admit the applicant. Hungary has threatened to veto Ukraine’s accession.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said a "significant decision now lies ahead for the Icelandic people.
“Iceland is already a strong and trusted partner. In a world that is changing fast, the European Union offers an anchor in a community of values, prosperity and security,” Kos wrote on X. “Accession negotiations always reflect the specific realities of each candidate country.”
Associated Press writer Sam McNeil in Brussels contributed to this report.
FILE - Iceland's parliament representatives hold a session at the Althingi in Reykjavik, Jan. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Brynjar Gauti, File)
DALLAS (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin scored with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, then made one of NHL-leading Colorado's two shots in a shootout to beat Dallas 5-4 on Friday night, ending the Stars' franchise-record winning streak at 10 games.
Martin Necas had a goal and three assists for the Avalanche, then made the victory-clinching shot in the shootout after Nichushkin went first.
The Avalanche still had an extra skater on the ice — after Stars captain Jamie Benn had missed an open net on his shot with just over a minute left in regulation — when Nichushkin's 13th goal tied it. Nichushkin had shots ricochet off both posts earlier in the third period.
Jake Oettinger had 25 saves for the Stars and Scott Wedgewood, his former backup in Dallas, stopped all 10 shots he faced throughout overtime before denying former teammates Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene in the shootout.
Wedgewood took over in net for the Avs after Benn’s goal 1:52 into the second period put Dallas up 4-2 after only 11 shots against Mackenzie Blackwood.
Wyatt Johnston, Miro Heiskanen and Justin Hryckowian each had a goal and an assist for the Stars, who hadn’t lost since Jan. 22. Their 86 points rank second in the NHL, seven behind their Central Division rival.
Nathan MacKinnon scored his NHL-leading 42nd goal only 12 seconds into a power play, and with just a second left in the first period, to get the Avs within 3-2. He also had two assists, while Cale Makar had a goal and an assist.
The game came hours after the trade deadline and the Avs reacquiring center Nazem Kadri, who was part of their 2022 title run. Kadri didn’t play and neither did the Stars’ additions this week: 6-foot-8 defenseman Tyler Myers from Vancouver and left wing Michael Bunting from Nashville.
Avalanche: Play at home Sunday against Minnesota, the third-place team behind the Avs and Stars in the Central Division — and Western Conference.
Stars: Host Chicago on Sunday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, left, blocks a shot as Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) attacks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) scuffle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, right, scores on a power play shot against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon skates by his bench after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly (17) celebrates his goal with teammate right wing Valeri Nichushkin during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
