Icelanders have decisively voted against restarting negotiations to join the European Union, according to official results released Sunday. The referendum outcome represents a setback for the Icelandic government, which had advocated for renewed accession talks with the bloc. A key factor influencing the vote was concern over protecting Iceland’s valuable fishing rights and resources. The result is a victory for those who believe EU membership would compromise the country's control over its fisheries. Brussels had expressed hope for Iceland’s potential membership as a new Nordic addition. The decision effectively halts Iceland’s path towards EU integration for the foreseeable future. This outcome underscores the strong national sentiment prioritizing sovereignty over economic alignment with the EU.