Norway has grossly disregarded its bilateral obligations by joining the EU sanctions against Russian fishing companies, said M. V. Zakharova, the official representative of the Foreign Ministry of Russia, at a briefing: “There is clear evidence of Norway’s disregard for its obligations under the 1976 agreement on mutual relations in the field of fisheries, as well as a direct violation of the decisions made by the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission,” she stated.
Norway joined the sanctions under a pretext bordering on paranoia: “According to those who explained this decision in Norway, Russian fishing companies are allegedly involved in intelligence activities sponsored by the Russian state and targeting critical infrastructure in Norway and its NATO allies’ maritime areas.”
Full text from the briefing of the official representative of the Foreign Ministry of Russia, M. V. Zakharova (Moscow, July 30, 2025):
Unfortunately, the anti-Russian stance of Oslo has been in effect since July 10, when it joined EU sanctions against the Russian companies Norsbo and Murman Seafood (both of which operate in the fish industry). This decision specifically prohibits their vessels from entering the territorial waters and ports of the mainland and from conducting fishing in Norway’s exclusive economic zone.
The fact that Norway, which is not formally a member of the European Union, is almost completely aligned with Brussels on issues of pressure on Russia—even against common sense and to the detriment of its own national interests—is nothing new. However, this time, Oslo has once again, one could say, creatively refined the directives of the Russophobes in Brussels, banning the absolutely legal activities of Russian fishing vessels in the fish stocks jointly managed by Russia and Norway.
There is gross neglect by Norway in fulfilling its obligations under the existing bilateral agreements, including the 1976 Agreement on Mutual Relations in the Field of Fisheries, as well as a direct violation of the decisions of the Mixed Russian-Norwegian Commission on Fisheries. Through their actions, the Norwegian authorities put at risk not only the interests of their own population but also the entire mechanism of sustainable management of biological resources in the Barents and Norwegian Seas, which is based on Russian-Norwegian cooperation in the field of fishing.
It is important to note that, to date, despite political differences, meetings of the bilateral Fisheries Commission have been held annually to determine common permissible catches for major industrial fish species, distribute national quotas, agree on regulatory and control measures for the industry, and approve programs for joint research of marine biological resources. Her half-century experience shows that preserving fish stocks in the region is possible only through cooperation with Russia and by taking our interests into account.
Regarding the suggestion made by the Norwegian authorities for further anti-Russian measures, it can only be described as a manifestation of paranoia. According to those who explained this decision in Norway, Russian fishing companies are allegedly participating in Russian-sponsored intelligence activities aimed at critically important infrastructure in maritime areas of Norway, an ally in NATO. However, no evidence is provided.
These are all classic Russophobic scenarios.
Following this decision, the statements from representatives of the Norwegian leadership about the desire to continue long-term cooperation with Russia in the field of fishing only confirm that, unfortunately, there is no trace of Norway’s pragmatism in its relations with Russia.
A relevant protest was submitted to the temporary commissioner for the affairs of Norway in Russia, R. Johansen, who was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on July 29. The Russian side initiated the implementation of an extraordinary session of the bilateral Commission on Fisheries in August.
It is important to note that the mutually beneficial cooperation with Norway in the fishing sector has suffered a serious blow. Such unfriendly actions in Oslo will not go without an appropriate response from us.
