America wants to use Faroes as a maritime base

Talks are underway between US and Faroese authorities regarding the possibility of using the Faroes as a maritime service base.

US Navy admiral Robert Burke met with Faroese foreign minister Jenis av Rana in Tórshavn on Wednesday.

It emerged from the meeting that US authorities are keen on using the Faroes as a maritime service base for US and NATO ships amid the increasing shipping activity in the Arctic region.

No plans for a naval base

Mr Burke is also reported to have asked specifically about naval ships.

“We have no plans to open a naval base,” stresses the Faroese minister, “but we are open to the discussion on opening a maritime service base for certain types of ships such as supply vessels.

“This is something the Faroese authorities have been considering for many years, and I’m glad to see that these plans are now starting to move beyond just internal talks.”

Translated by prosa.fo