27.05.2004 · The Government

Political Leaders from Shetland, Western Isles and Orkney visit the Faroes

From the 1 June to the 3 June 2004 the conveners from Shetland Island Council, Mr Sandy Cluness, Orkney Islands Council, Mr Stephen Hagan and Western Isle Council, Mr Alex Macdonald are visiting the Faroes. Hosting the visit is the Faroese Prime Minister, Mr Jóannes Eidesgaard.

From the 1 June to the 3 June 2004 the conveners from Shetland Island Council, Mr Sandy Cluness, Orkney Islands Council, Mr Stephen Hagan and Western Isle Council, Mr Alex Macdonald are visiting the Faroes. Hosting the visit is the Faroese Prime Minister, Mr Jóannes Eidesgaard.

This is the first meeting of its kind between the political leaders from the Faroes, Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles. As well as holding talks with the Prime Minister to discuss issues of mutual interest such as fisheries, aquaculture, culture and oil exploration and exploitation, the conveners will also learn about Faroese transport infrastructure, hospital and health services and IT and telecommunications.

The conveners will also visit Tinganes, site of the ancient Althing, later Løgting. This historic headland in the middle of the harbour in the capital, Tórshavn, was later the site of the Royal Trade Monopoly and since 1948 has been the site of the Faroese Government. The conveners will also visit the Faroese Parliament, Føroya Løgting.

Commenting on the visit, the PM, Mr Jóannes Eidesgaard, stated:

“I am delighted that our neighbours from the south have come to visit us. Historically there have been strong ties between the Faroes, Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles and we have many common interests. Hopefully this visit will be the beginning of a new era with increased political co-operation and trade between our islands.”

Program for the visit of the Convener from the Western Isles, Mr Alex Macdonald, the Convener from the Shetland Islands, Mr Sandy Cluness and the Convener from the Orkney Islands, Mr Stephen Haganto the Faroes 31 May to 3 June 2004


 
Monday 31 May 2004

19.15 Departure, Atlantic Airways from Aberdeen to the Faroes

20.20 Arrival at Vágar Airport. Transport to Tórshavn by car

21.00 Arrival Hotel Føroyar


Tuesday 1 June 2004

09.00 Welcome by Prime Minister, Mr Jóannes Eidesgaard, Tinganes (w/breakfast)

10.15 Visit Tinganes, site of the ancient Althing, later Løgting. Later site of the Royal Trade Monopoly and since 1948 site of the Faroese Government. Guided walk through the historic part of Tinganes with Mr Gunnar Hoydal former chief city architect of Tórshavn

10.45 Visit Føroya Løgting, the Faroese Parliament. Presentation by Mr Óli Breckmann, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament

11.30 Leave the Parliament by car to visit Listaskálin, the Faroe Museum of Art. Guided tour

12.30 Lunch at Listaskálin hosted by the presidium of the Parliament

14.00 Summit (location Tinganes)

15.30  Press conference (location Tinganes)

16.00 Leave Tinganes by car to Hotel Føroyar

18.15 Leave Hotel Føroyar by car to Kirkjubøar

18.30 Visit Kirkjubø, the bishopric centre of power and learning of the Faroe Islands in the middle Ages. Briefing and Guided tour of the site and visit to the ancient buildings

19.30 Dinner hosted by Prime Minister, Mr Jóannes Eidesgaard (location Kirkjubø)


Wedensday 2 June 2004

09.30 Leave Hotel Føroyar by bus to Føroya Tele, the Faroese Telecommunication Company

09.40 Visit Føroya Tele. Briefing by Mr Andras Róin, CEO on telecommunications and IT in the Faroe Islands

11.00 Visit the Faroese Oil Administration. Briefing by Mr Heri Ziska, Head of Department (exploration), on the oil and gas exploration south and west of the Faroes

12.00  Visit Norðurlandahúsið, the Nordic House. Welcome by Ms Karin Kjølbro, Trustee. Lunch hosted by Norðurlandahúsið

13.15 Briefing by Mr Magni Arge, CEO, Atlantic Airways, on the challenges of air travel to the Faroe Islands (location the Nordic House)

13.45 Briefing by Mr Kristian Davidsen, Managing Director of Strandfaraskip Landsins, the Faroese National Ferry and Bus Company, on the new inter island ferry investments in the Faroe Islands (location the Nordic House)

14.15 Briefing by Mr Dávid Reinert Hansen, Managing Director Vága Tunnilin and Norðoya Tunnilin, the companies responsible for constructing the undersea tunnels in the Faroes, on the new infrastructure investments in the Faroe Islands (location the Nordic House)

15.00 Visit the new Landssjúkrahúsið, the National Hospital in Tórshavn. Briefing by Mr Poul Geert Hansen, Chief Executive, on the Health Sector of the Faroe Islands

16.30 Visit and guided tour of the new Norrøna. Presentation by Mr Toni Gundersen, Cruise Manager

19.30 Dinner hosted jointly by the Western Isles Council, the Shetland Islands Council and the Orkney Islands Council (location Hotel Føroyar)


Thursday 3 June 2004

08.00 Excursions can be arranged, delegates free to plan, no formal meetings

15.30 Departure Hotel Føroyar to Vágar Airport

16.30 Departure Vagar – Aberdeen 16.30

17.35 Arrival Aberdeen 17.35