the first four chapters being opened, of which two were completed and closed on the same day. 2011-10-19: Accession Conference nr.3. Two chapters were opened and closed immediately. In total 6 out of 33 chapters have now been opened (of which 4 have been closed). 2011-12-12: Accession Conference nr.4. Five chapters were opened, four were closed immediately. In total 11 out of 33 chapters have now been opened (of which 8 have been closed). 2012-03-30: Accession Conference nr.5. Four chapters were opened and two chapters were closed. In total 15 out of 33 chapters have now been opened (of which 10 have been closed). 2012-05-24: Proposal for a national referendum on discontinuing accession talks with the European Union rejected with 34 votes against and 25 in favour. 2012-06-22: Accession Conference nr.6. Three new chapters opened. In total 18 out of 33 chapters have now been opened (of which 10 have been closed). 2012-10-24: Accession Conference nr.7. Three new chapters opened. In total 21 out of 33 chapters have now been opened (of which 10 have been closed). 2012-12-18: Accession Conference nr.8. Six new chapters opened and one more chapter closed. In total 27 out of 33 chapters have now been opened (of which 11 have been closed). Negotiation progress A document explaining the general process and each chapter Situation of policy area at the start of membership negotiations is according to the 2010 EC Opinion. Timetable for screening meetings 2010–2011 The screening is a series of meetings between the commission and the applicant country examining the level of fulfilment of the EU acquis. It allows candidate countries to familiarise themselves with the acquis and it allows the Commission and the member States to evaluate the degree of preparedness of candidate countries prior to negotiations. Political parties' stances Public opinion A poll released in January 2014 found that 67.5% of Icelanders support holding a referendum on the continuation of accession negotiations. On 22 February, the governing parties agreed to formally withdraw the membership application, without first holding a referendum on the matter, and submitted a bill to parliament seeking their approval to do so. The decision led to thousands of protesters taking to the streets outside of the Parliament buildings in Reykjavík. By 28 February 82% were in favour of holding the referendum. More than 40,000 people (16.5% of Iceland's voters) have signed a petition demanding that the promised referendum be