REYKJAVIK, July 16 (Reuters) - Talks on possible EU membership for Iceland could take 2.5-3.5 years to complete, the country's prime minister said on Thursday, heralding parliament's decision to back an application as historic.
Financial meltdown has pushed the island nation to seek membership of the European Union, but the country remains divided on the issue and a final decision whether to join will be put to a popular vote.
"This is probably the most historic vote in the history of our Parliament, since the founding of the Republic," Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir told Reuters after the vote.
She said that the vote -- by 33 to 28 -- was the first step, with probably several years of negotiations to follow.
"I sincerely hope and believe that we will end up with an agreement that will help us create the necessary economic stability, ensure prosperity in the long term for both families and businesses," she said.