Bruger:KUph2023/sandkasse

As a small autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, the Faroe Islands have developed their own Arctic Policy to ensure their interests are represented in the region. The Arctic policy of the Faroe Islands is expressed, among other ways, as part of the Faroese Government's policies and through the joint strategy of the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as within the Arctic Council.

The general policy outlines the country's approach to Arctic affairs, including its geopolitical position, environmental concerns, economic opportunities, and collaboration with other Arctic nations.

Faroese interests

Located in the middle of the North Atlantic, The Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends north of the Arctic Circle.

The environmental, economic and political changes in the Arctic have great significance for the Faroe Islands, as melting ice and new shipping routes bring opportunities for increased fishing, shipping, and tourism.

New shipping routes

Increased melting of ice and the opening of new shipping routes are expected to lead to greater opportunities for fishing, shipping, and tourism in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, including the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands are well-positioned to benefit from these changes, with increased shipping traffic already being seen, and opportunities for local businesses to provide services to foreign ships expected to grow.

The Faroe Islands have long wanted to position themselves as a maritime service center in the North Atlantic. They aim to offer services to passing ships in the Arctic, leveraging their experience in shipping. These plans were presented in the Faroese Arctic Strategy in 2013.

However, the increased traffic also places significant demands on the Faroe Islands' infrastructure and requires careful planning to mitigate potential risks. The growth in activity also brings an increased risk of accidents and environmental damage.

Fishery and sustainability

One of the biggest Faroese interests in the Arctic area is fishery. The Faroe Islands prioritize sustainable fishing in the Arctic and collaborate with international organizations to prevent illegal practices. They plan to establish an ecosystem-based fisheries management system and participate in scientific research to promote sustainability in the region.

The Faroe Islands aim to follow the work of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in the Arctic and pursue sustainable activities under the multilateral agreement. Fishing is crucial for their economic and social well-being, and they hope to contribute to sustainable business growth and research collaborations in the region.For the same reason The Faroe Islands are involved in Arctic environmental cooperation and contribute to international efforts to address climate change.

The status as a fishing nation, also gives the Faroe Islands a significant role to play in the Arctic Council and other international cooperation. Therefore the Faroe Islands focus in the Arctic Council on working for the rights to sustainably utilize marine resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring a self-sufficient economy.

Research

Research is a key part of the Faroese strategy to strengthen cooperation in the Arctic. In 2017, the Faroe Islands signed an international agreement under the Arctic Council to strengthen research collaboration in the Arctic. The Faroe Islands aim to become a center of excellence in various fields, including marine biology and resources, meteorology, natural sciences, technology, communication, energy, public health, social sciences, and humanities.

Faroese specialists have participated in working groups under the Arctic Council from the beginning, and it is a valuable cooperation that is relevant to the Faroe Islands.

Defence- and security

It is anticipated that there will be increased military activity in the Arctic in the future. In this regard, it is important for the Faroe Islands to be involved in decisions related to defense actions in the Arctic.

According to the home rule law, security and defense matters are shared responsibilities and cannot be taken over in the current situation. Therefore, cooperation with the Danish government, NATO, and other NATO member countries in the region is essential.

One significant change in the Danish-Faroese relationship is the increased involvement of the Faroe Islands in the upcoming Danish defense agreement. The current defense agreement is set to expire at the end of this year.

US and NATO

A result of the geopolitical changes in the Arctic, there has been renewed interest from the US in the Faroe Islands due to their strategic significance located in the North Atlantic Ocean.

One example about the strategic importance of the Faroe Islands in the Arctic is the upcoming NATO-radar. In June 2022, an agreement was made between Denmark and the Faroe Islands to set up an air surveillance radar on Sornfelli in the Faroe Islands. This radar will monitor the airspace between Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and it is planned to have a range of between 300 and 400 kilometers. This will strengthen the Danish Defense's surveillance over the North Atlantic which is a wish from the U.S. and NATO.

In the Kingdom of Denmark

As part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are also part of the Kingdom's joint Arctic strategy. In the Kingdom's last strategy from 2011-2020, emphasis was placed on the equal involvement of all three parties (Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Denmark) in decision-making, and that they should agree on what is happening and cooperate. The goal in 2011 was to maintain low tension in the Arctic region in a peaceful and sustainable manner.

However, Denmark's Arctic strategy expired in 2020 and a new one has not yet been developed as they are waiting for Greenland. The new strategy is expected to be ready in 2023.

The Danish Arctic Policy is in many ways dependent on the Faroe Islands and especially Greenland. In 2016, Peter Taksøe-Jensen concluded that Denmark is an Arctic great power because of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which are located respectively in the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean.

Faroese interests are not necessarily aligned with Danish or American interests.

The Arctic Council

Since the Arctic Council was established in 1996, the Faroe Islands have participated in a delegation with Denmark and Greenland.

The Faroese Government representative participates in the ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council, which is held every other year. Faroese officials also participate in the SAO (Senior Arctic Official) meetings, which are the highest level of meetings, as well as in the meetings of the SDWG and PAME working groups, in addition to other relevant meetings.

The majority of the issues addressed in the Arctic Council concern topics that the Faroe Islands have a say in. The Faroe Islands prioritize ensuring that they are present to influence and develop the decisions made in the Arctic Council to be suitable for the Faroese circumstances. The Faroe Islands have a particular focus on natural resources, sustainable fishing, research, and culture.

The 2019 Faroese foreign policy report aimed to pursue independent membership in the Arctic Council. The same goal is not in the 2022 Arctic Strategy, but one of the objectives of Faroese arctic policy is to enhance the Faroe Islands' influence within the Arctic Council.