Inga went wild in a new interview with Frosta Logason on the content provider Brotkast. In the interview, Inga says that the discussion about membership or integration negotiations is really of little importance – the result decides everything.
“Whether it’s accession negotiations, integration negotiations or whatever it’s called, the fact is that at the end of the day … if we don’t get permanent and irreversible control over our resources, there’s no talking. Our people would never accept that.”
She also says that the nation has the final word and trusts it to reject an agreement that goes against the country’s interests:
“Our people should have the last word. I trust my people to choose and reject. I trust my people not to be fooled.”
Want to officially withdraw the application
However, no one criticizes that Iceland’s EU membership application was never formally withdrawn.
“I have brought bills now repeatedly… where I was requesting the Alþingi that this application be officially withdrawn because it has not been officially withdrawn but is lying in a drawer.”
Inga also speaks harshly about the European Union’s ETS system and its impact on Iceland.
“We’re just really bad at this. I don’t agree with this. I’d rather withdraw from this kind of agreement than, for example, start charging us for this and that.”
She says the system is tailored to completely different situations:
“This ETS system is first and foremost built with the intention of trying to get continental European transport more into these rail systems… and we don’t have that. We just have flights to and from the country.”
“I don’t want to invest tens of billions in climate issues”
The minister also rejects large-scale spending on climate action.
“For example, I don’t want us to be putting tens of billions in some years into climate issues. No, I’m just not there.”
She points out that Iceland has little in international comparison:
“Relatively speaking, we probably pollute the least in the world. But it’s still being said that relatively speaking, we’re polluting the most, and I can’t get over this.”
Inga wants Iceland to make better use of its own resources and looks to Norway as a model.
“I just want to start drilling for oil… I just want to be sustainable in oil. I just want our Norwegian oil fund here – unless it’s just the Icelandic oil fund.”
Shocked at reaction to ‘pizza party’
Inga also strongly criticizes the debate that arose when ministers met informally at the Prime Minister’s home.
“I’ve never imagined anything else like confusion and shouts and fake news… as if you’re under house arrest.”
She says the criticism is unfair towards the prime minister:
“It’s like she doesn’t have children… like she’s just not human… it was so unfair.”
And Inga adds:
“It’s just outrageous. It’s rude and just absolute aggression. I was stunned by the reaction.”
Despite the clear policy differences between the parties, Inga says the cooperation is going well.
“We are not sharing a brain even though we are such good friends and work well together… we only work according to our governing charter.”
