France says Iceland has nothing to lose by reopening EU talks

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Iceland had nothing to lose by negotiating with the European Union over membership, as the country prepares for a referendum on restarting stalled accession talks.

Icelanders are due to vote on August 29 on whether to resume the talks. Iceland first applied to join the EU in 2009 after the collapse of its financial sector. Negotiations began in 2010 and were suspended three years later.

Speaking during a visit to Reykjavik, Barrot said the August 29 vote would not decide membership itself and said Iceland had nothing to lose by negotiating with the EU.

The vote comes as neighbouring Greenland has raised concerns about US President Donald Trump's insistence that he wants to take control of the Arctic territory from Denmark.

Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir said the EU's support for Greenland during Trump's push showed Iceland the value of membership. She said it was important for Iceland to see the European Union stand with Denmark and Greenland.

Gunnarsdottir also said NATO member Iceland sees joining the EU as a way to strengthen its security in the face of threats from Russia.