Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Iceland's Foreign Minister, has expressed confidence that long discussions in Parliament regarding the national referendum on ongoing EU negotiations will not lead to delays. The referendum is slated to be held on August 29. She refuted accusations of lack of collaboration, highlighting that members of the opposition have been inconsistent in their responses about whether they will respect the outcome of the referendum.

She observed that there is clearly a divergence of opinions within the opposition, which has led to varying expressions of opinion among members. The recent session of Parliament extended late into the evening, during which lawmakers debated a parliamentary resolution concerning the national referendum. This situation illustrates the complexities of political dynamics surrounding the ongoing discussions about Iceland's relationship with the EU.

Gunnarsdóttir emphasized the straightforwardness of the matter at hand, indicating that she is primarily pleased with the direction of the discussions despite the lengthy parliamentary sessions. The government's objective remains clear: to conduct the referendum and gather the populace's perspective on EU membership negotiations, which are vital for Iceland's future political and economic direction.