Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission

1.6.2022

The Commission has taken a number of steps to resolve the respective issues with Norway. Regarding the EU fisheries for cod in Svalbard waters, the EU’s position on Norway’s actions in respect of international law was expressed in the two notes verbales sent to Norway on 26 February 2021 and 28 June 2021[1].

After several months of intense discussions, in the last days of April 2022, the Commission and Norway reached a political understanding, which allows the EU fleets to fish for cod in Svalbard waters in accordance with the EU historic rights.

Regarding the ban of beam-trawling, the Commission has asked Norway to postpone the entry into force of that ban until beginning of October 2022, to allow EU fleets to fish the quotas obtained from Norway through bilateral exchanges. The Commission is awaiting a response from Norway.

As for Norway’s cooperation with Russia, it should be underlined that the EU is not bound, neither legally nor politically, by the decisions that may be taken bilaterally by Russia and Norway.

The EU considers it inappropriate to engage with Russia in the current circumstances of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and this has been clarified with Norway.

• [1] https://ec.europa.eu/oceans-and-fisheries/fisheries/international-agreements/fisheries-svalbard_en?msclkid=66b8eb26c5ad11ec8853d5d65df91d4d