**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.
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.
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.”
‘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.
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.”
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.