Faroes likened to pirates for not banning Russian ships

The Faroes are a bit like pirates because they continue to let Russian ships come and go as they wish.

So says the head of the Danish fishermen’s association, Ken Skau Fischer, in an article in yesterday’s edition of Danish newspaper Berlingske.

The article (behind paywall) hits out at Faroese authorities for not following EU sanctions despite promising to do so when Russia invaded Ukraine.

When the EU introduced its fifth sanctions package on 16 April, which included banning entry to EU ports for ships registered in Russia, Faroes ports remained open to these ships.

 >> SEE ALSO PM: food exports to Russia can continue

It should be noted that the article does not mention exceptions included in the fifth sanctions package.

“The Faroes can make a difference, and for the ban to have the desired effect, all nations need to follow them,” Danish left-wing politician Christian Juul is quoted as saying in the article.

Sjúrður Skaale, who represents Faroese opposition party Javnaðarflokkurin in the Danish Parliament, is also featured in the article, criticising the Faroese government for not cutting trade ties with Russia.

Berlingske contacted the Faroese government and the Danish foreign ministry for comments but received no reply before publication of the article.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.