09.12.2005 · The Government

Speech by the Head of the Representation of the Faroes in London, Mr Sigmundur Ísfeld

I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to you today. Firstly I’d like to tell you something about the new foreign policy powers of the Faroe Islands.

Speech by the Head of the Representation of the Faroes in London, Mr Sigmundur Ísfeld, at his reception on 9 December 2005

Good afternoon Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear guests. Thank you for coming.

Wellcome to our reception.

…I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to you today. Firstly I’d like to tell you something about the new foreign policy powers of the Faroe Islands, then I’m going to hand over

to Mr Kent Christensen, who is director sales and marketing of the Atlantic Airways.

So, let me now turn to the new foreign policy powers.

After four years of negotiations between the Faroe Islands and Denmark, the two parties reached an agreement in the form of new legislation regarding international relations. The new laws were approved by both the Faroese and Danish parliaments this summer.

What does this mean for us? This means that regarding areas that are under Faroese authority, such as fisheries, trade, education and research, environment, taxation, transport and so on

  • We can now directly contact other states and international organizations.
  • We can now enter into negotiations with other states and international organizations.
  • And we can conclude agreements with them.

Before this new legislation the Faroese government had to aquire positive consent from Danish authority before contacting other governments. Now this is not necessary any more.

Of course Denmark still can intervene in cases where they feel a need regarding the interests of the Kingdom of Denmark as a whole.

So will all this matter? Does it mean that the Faroes will be more active on the international arena? Well, in this country there is a saying that is quite appropriate now around Chrismas time: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

And the Faroe Islands are not only talking about the pudding – we are actively engaged in negotiations with the European Union on taking part in the Union’s education and research programmes. The Faroes also want to be part of the community regarding civil aviation.

We are all aware of the globalization processes that are not only shaping new patterns of production and trade. It also influences the services sector, and even arts and culture, the way we think and behave.

In such a world even the smallest nations must be outward looking – yes there is evidence that exactly the smallest nations have the greatest need to have good relations to the outside world and have to adapt more quickly to developments in their surroundings.

We are happy to be represented here in London, and we are happy to have friends here like you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the Danish ambassador, Tom Risdahl Jensen, and his staff here. They have all received me warmly. And let me thank my excellent secretary, Sigga Jacobsen, who made it easy for me to succed my predecessor in this post.

And thank you all for coming.