Faroe Islands and EU agree regular talks to strengthen ties

The Faroe Islands and the European Union have agreed to meet regularly to strengthen cooperation, but no commitments were made on market access, according to Kringvarp Føroya.

Faroe Islands Prime Minister Beinir Johannesen met Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, in Nuuk on Monday morning. Johannesen said he had explained the Faroe Islands’ position on the EU and its openness to closer cooperation in several areas.

He also raised the problem of insufficient market access for processed fish products from the Faroe Islands in the EU market.

“We made it clear that we are open to strengthening cooperation with the EU in many areas,” Johannesen said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also attended the meeting.

Johannesen said that securing greater market access would be difficult, but that the two sides had agreed to hold regular meetings with the aim of strengthening relations between the EU and the Faroe Islands.

“When it comes to market access, the matter is more complicated. It has taken a long time, and the member states need to be convinced,” he said.