Russia agrees to move naval drills out of Ireland’s EEZ

The Russian Navy minesweeper Yakov Balyaev (Photo: United Shipbuilding Corporation)

The Russian government has agreed to hold an upcoming series of naval drills beyond the limits of Ireland’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) after complaints were raised by local fishermen.

Simon Coveney, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, confirmed in a tweet that he had earlier contacted the Russian Defence Minister to request a reconsideration of naval exercises off the Irish coast. Mr Coveney said he subsequently received a letter confirming that the Russian Navy’s exercises will be relocated outside of Ireland’s EEZ.

The exercises were originally slated to take place in early February outside Ireland’s sea territory but still within the limit of the country’s EEZ some 240 kilometres off the western coast of Cork.

The affected fishermen said the drills would have otherwise disrupted their trawling activities in the same waters.


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