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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iceland parliament to vote on EU | Iceland parliament to vote on EU |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Parliament in Iceland is preparing to vote on whether the Nordic country should seek to join the 27-member European Union. | Parliament in Iceland is preparing to vote on whether the Nordic country should seek to join the 27-member European Union. |
| The Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, predicted that the result of the vote would be very close. | The Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, predicted that the result of the vote would be very close. |
| Her Social Democrat party has advocated closer ties to the EU and adoption of the currency, the Euro. | Her Social Democrat party has advocated closer ties to the EU and adoption of the currency, the Euro. |
| But critics fear Iceland's vital fishing industry could suffer if it is forced to abide by EU quotas. | But critics fear Iceland's vital fishing industry could suffer if it is forced to abide by EU quotas. |
| The vote is taking place after five days of exhaustive debate, and the governing coalition is divided on the issue. | The vote is taking place after five days of exhaustive debate, and the governing coalition is divided on the issue. |
| Prime Minister Sigurdardottir told state television: "I think the vote will be a very close one, but I am optimistic. It is natural that we take the time to debate the issue." | Prime Minister Sigurdardottir told state television: "I think the vote will be a very close one, but I am optimistic. It is natural that we take the time to debate the issue." |
| 'Everything to lose' | 'Everything to lose' |
| If parliament supports membership, the Icelandic government will then have to present its application to the EU and - if successful - put the issue to the Icelandic people in a referendum. | If parliament supports membership, the Icelandic government will then have to present its application to the EU and - if successful - put the issue to the Icelandic people in a referendum. |
| Opponents have staged demonstrations outside the parliament in Reykjavik, some carrying banners reading: "EU - No Thanks". | Opponents have staged demonstrations outside the parliament in Reykjavik, some carrying banners reading: "EU - No Thanks". |
| One demonstrators said: "We have everything to lose, and nothing to win. This about fisheries and our farmers." | One demonstrators said: "We have everything to lose, and nothing to win. This about fisheries and our farmers." |
| Correspondents say Iceland, with a population of just 320,000, has traditionally been sceptical about joining the European Union. | Correspondents say Iceland, with a population of just 320,000, has traditionally been sceptical about joining the European Union. |
| But, they say, many people there have warmed to the idea of membership following the devastating economic meltdown which saw the top Icelandic banks collapse in a matter of days last year. | But, they say, many people there have warmed to the idea of membership following the devastating economic meltdown which saw the top Icelandic banks collapse in a matter of days last year. |
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