German minister: Iceland vote shows EU has to become 'more attractive'

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadepuhl on Monday lamented the decision by Icelanders to reject restarting talks on joining the European Union, saying the outcome should give the bloc cause to consider how to become "more attractive" to prospective new members.

"This would have been a great opportunity to grow stronger together," Germany's top diplomat said before departing for a visit to Tunisia.

A narrow majority of Icelanders voted against resuming accession negotiations with the European Union in a referendum on Sunday.

Negotiations between the bloc and the remote Atlantic island came to halt 13 years ago amid disagreements on the fishery sector - the most important economic driver in Iceland.

"It is not automatically the case that everyone aspires to join the European Union," Germany's Wadephul said on Monday. 

"And I think that gives us cause to look at where we can improve, how we can work on making ourselves more attractive. This applies, of course, in particular to the economic prospects we offer.

"I still believe that we should not lose sight of the goal of the European Union’s northward enlargement. This naturally includes Iceland, but it would also include Norway."