The Kremlin summoned Norway’s chargé d’affaires in Moscow on Tuesday to protest what it described as “unlawful restrictive measures” imposed by Oslo on Russian fishing vessels operating in Norwegian waters.
According to a statement from the Russian foreign ministry, the protest was lodged in response to restrictions by Norway targeting vessels belonging to the Russian firms Norebo and Murman Seafood, which operate in Norway’s exclusive economic zone under a 1976 bilateral agreement on fisheries cooperation.
On July 7 the Norwegian government announced it would join EU sanctions adopted in May and place both companies on its national sanctions list, citing concerns over espionage and the risk of future sabotage. The move in effect superseded the 1976 deal and removed the firms’ vessels from Norwegian waters, drawing swift condemnation from Moscow that it was “politically motivated.”
In Tuesday’s foreign ministry statement, Moscow said Norway’s decision represented “a gross violation” of the long-standing fisheries accord. It accused Oslo of undermining what it described as a “long-term effective system” for managing joint fish stocks in the Barents and Norwegian Seas.
The Kremlin warned that Norway’s actions could jeopardize broader fisheries cooperation and threaten the sustainable exploitation of marine resources in the North Atlantic.
“If Oslo is not ready to return to fulfilling the conditions prescribed by the 1976 agreement,” the ministry said, “the Russian side will take the necessary measures to protect the interests of domestic fisheries.”
Norway’s foreign ministry confirmed to POLITICO that a meeting had taken place Tuesday between the Russian foreign ministry and Oslo’s Moscow embassy.
“The Russian side expressed dissatisfaction with Norway’s decision to list the Russian companies Nordebo JSC and Murman Seafood,” a Norwegian spokesperson said.
“From the Norwegian side, we wish to continue our cooperation on fisheries management in the Barents Sea. At the same time, we stand together with our allies in Europe in responding to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its behavior toward NATO countries. The rules for Norwegian ports are determined by Norwegian authorities.”
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