Negotiations with Norway on fishing rights and relations with Russia

6.4.2022

Question for written answer  E-001386/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew)

In the final stage of the Brexitnegotiations, Norway unilaterally imposed its interpretation of the Svalbard Treaty. As a result of this change to its territorial waters Norway was able to reduce the European fleet’s cod quota by 25%. At the same time, the European fleet was banned from beam trawling. Despite repeated attempts, no progress has been made in the negotiations to recover these rights. Meanwhile, Russia may be using Norway to place fishery products on the European market. Norway’s seafood exports to the EU amount to more than EUR 1 300 million a year, mostly tariff free. Despite the invasion of Ukraine, Norway’s relationship with Russia has not changed. This situation has arisen against the backdrop of long-standing bilateral collaboration between Norway and Russia, which undermines the work of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, and of the existence of hydrocarbon reserves under the seabed in question.

• 1.Has any progress been made in resolving this situation?
• 2.How could the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions affect negotiations and relations with Norway?
• 3.Does the Commission consider these actions to be a violation of international law?