Russia summons Norwegian envoy over sanctions against Russian fishing vessels

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned Norwegian Charge d'affaires Adele Johansen to protest Norwegian sanctions on Russian fishing vessels.

The ministry said in a statement that Norway restricted activities of Norebo and Murman Seafood companies operating within Norway's exclusive economic zone in accordance with the intergovernmental agreement on mutual relations in fisheries signed in 1976.

The Norwegian side was told that "these unfriendly measures grossly violate bilateral agreements in the field of fisheries, undermining the long-established effective system of management and regulation of joint fish stocks exploitation in the Barents and Norwegian Seas," the ministry stressed.

It slammed Norway's recent actions as "irresponsible," warning they may lead to the collapse of the entire complex of bilateral relations in the sphere of fisheries and have negative consequences for their participants.

"In this regard, it was emphasized that there is a need for Norway to act in good faith and fulfill its obligations towards the Russian Federation under the 1976 Fisheries Agreement, as well as refrain from steps limiting legitimate activities of Russian fishing vessels in Norway's exclusive economic zone," the statement read.

The ministry cautioned that if Oslo does not return to compliance with the conditions prescribed by the 1976 Agreement, the Russian side "will take necessary measures to protect the interests of domestic fisheries."