Skaale justified the move to the Danish daily “Jyllandsposten” with the immense economic importance of the quotas for cod, haddock, flounder and shrimp in the Barents Sea for his country. But of course his country condemns any kind of war, including in Ukraine, says Skaale.
The fisheries agreement between the Faroe Islands and Russia has existed since 1977 and is renewed every year. In exchange for quotas for the Faroese fishing fleet in the Barents Sea, Russian vessels are allowed to fish and tranship cargoes in the waters of the Faroe Islands.
Both Danish and EU politicians had called on the Faroe Islands not to renew the agreement in view of Moscow’s war against Ukraine. There was also isolated criticism at home. In the end, however, only one of the 33 MPs voted against extending the agreement in the parliament in Tórshavn.
(SDA)