Icelanders will vote on whether to restart talks on joining the European Union, as the country seeks to solidify its economic ties with the bloc.[784571][809152] The move comes after years of negotiation, with the EU expressing interest in expanding its membership to include more countries from the Nordic region.[784571] The vote is seen as a significant development for Iceland, which has been a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1994.[809152] The EEA is a precursor to EU membership, and Iceland's decision could pave the way for the country to join the EU in the future.[784571] Iceland's Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, has stated that the country's decision will be based on the outcome of the vote.[809152]