The Russian navy is preparing to carry out exercises off the Irish coast despite heightened tensions with Western countries over Ukraine, the Irish fishing sector said on Thursday (January 27th).
Read alsoFour maps to understand the conflict between Russia and Ukraine
Exercises due from February 1 to 5 in the Atlantic Ocean about 200 kilometers south-west of the island, raised fears among Irish fishermen that they would be prevented from working in the area, which is in international waters but in the exclusive economic zone of Ireland.
A “fair deal” found
According to its chief executive Brendan Byrne, a delegation from the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA) held talks with Russian Ambassador to Dublin Yury Filatov and a "
fair deal
" was reached to allow the exercises and operations fishing to stand.
Relations between Russia and Western countries are at their lowest since the Cold War after Moscow deployed tens of thousands of troops to the Ukrainian border.
Russia denies any invasion plan but demands security guarantees and that Ukraine never be allowed to join NATO, of which Ireland is not a member.
Irish Foreign and Defense Minister Simon Coveney argued that Dublin had no power to prevent the drills but told the ambassador that they were "
unwelcome
".
"
Now is not the time to increase military activities and tensions in the context of what is happening at the moment
" around Ukraine, he said Monday from Brussels.
Read alsoIn Brest, the French Navy redoubles its vigilance against Russian submarines
The Russian ambassador was "
extremely knowledgeable about the difficulties of Irish fishing
" and assured that there was "
no intention on the part of the Russian navy to inconvenience the Irish fishing industry
", told the AFP the director general of the association representing the sector.
“
During the discussions, the two sides were able to see a way allowing the exercises not to be interrupted and so that we could continue to fish
”, thanks to a “
buffer zone
” between the two, assured Brendan Byrne.
"
We do not interfere in the politics of naval exercises
", he added, stressing that they will take place "
in a lucrative and precious fishing zone
especially for prawns.
