On 24 February Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy presented the Commission Opinion recommending the opening of accession negotiations with Iceland.

Mr Füle noted: "The opinion is an important step in the accession process and provides guidance to Iceland in its efforts to become an EU member. I am confident that Iceland will show determination in addressing the challenges highlighted in the opinion."

The Opinion is a comprehensive analysis of a country's capacity to meet the criteria for membership of the European Union.

On the basis of the Opinion presented today, the Council of the European Union will decide whether and when to proceed to the next stages of the accession process.

Iceland submitted its application for EU membership on 17 July 2009.