Icelandic-U.S. relations are being strengthened after a serious setback in 2006 with closure of the U.S. military base in Keflavík. The governing elite in Iceland is delighted that its security relations with Washington are back on track (in the light of enhanced security risk in the North Atlantic) and has, therefore, abandoned all moves towards China. However, the country keeps stalling on possible accession negotiations with the EU.