Iceland votes to reject the EU as fisheries worry prevails

Iceland, which won independence from Denmark in 1944, is among the world's richest countries per capita.

Icelanders voted to stay out of the European Union, referendum results showed on Sunday, as they rejected a government push to reopen membership talks and sided with those who said Iceland's fishing waters were too important to risk.

The capital of Reykjavik was the only area where a majority supported the referendum

Icelanders narrowly turned down reopening membership talks with the European Union in a divisive referendum, as concerns over retaining control of the island nation’s natural resources eclipsed the case for closer alignment with Europe.

The referendum result halts Iceland's bid to reopen EU membership talks, with 52.5 percent voting against the proposal.

The country is already part of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area, which allows frictionless movement of people, goods, capital and services.

Some 47.5% of voters supported the government's proposal while 52.5% said no, according to local broadcaster RUV's estimates. Final results are expected later on Sunday.

Iceland has voted to reject the resumption of European Union accession talks, in a referendum that swung back and forth through the night.