The European Union's institutions stated they fully respect the Icelanders' choice after the negative result on reopening accession negotiations with the EU. This position was expressed in direct reaction to the referendum or vote held in Iceland.
The outcome of the vote represents an obstacle to what the article describes as the European Union's enlargement momentum. In other words, the Icelandic decision may slow down the EU's expansion process on other fronts.
Iceland had previously suspended its accession negotiations with the European bloc, and the current rejection prevents their resumption. The Nordic country thus maintains its position outside the institutional structure of the European Union.
