MASTER THESIS Titel der Master Thesis / Title of the Master’s Thesis „Opportunities and Limits for a Non-Sovereign Nation on the International Stage: The Case of the Faroe Islands“ verfasst von / submitted by Rósa Heinesen angestrebter akademischer Grad / in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Advanced International Studies (M.A.I.S.) Wien 2018 / Vienna 2018 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt A 992 940 Postgraduate programme code as it appears on the student record sheet: Universitätslehrgang lt. Studienblatt Internationale Studien / International Studies Postgraduate programme as it appears on the student record sheet: Betreut von / Supervisor: Professor Arthur R. Rachwald 1 Abstract: Through an historical and International Relations point of view, the thesis investigates the options available for the non-sovereign Faroe Islands to expand their political presence and participation in the international arena, without secession from the Kingdom of Denmark. With reference to paradiplomacy theory, the study is guided by the multi response questionnaire technique, providing an outline of historical tendencies combined with current dispositions of Faroese and Danish authorities. The study finds that Danish arguments against the possibility of further Faroese autonomy in foreign affairs are inconsistent from an historical perspective, and that current external factors, such as the growing global focus on the Arctic, are prompting Danish politicians to consider options previously deemed impossible. Together, these findings represent a momentum, which the Faroe Islands may take advantage of to demand change. Key words: Faroe Islands, Paradiplomacy, Kingdom of Denmark, International Relations, Foreign Policy Zusammenfassung: Unter Berücksichtigung historischer und internationaler Beziehungen untersucht die vorliegende Arbeit die vorhandenen Möglichkeiten der nicht-souveränen Färöer Inseln ihre politische Bedeutung auf der internationalen Ebene auszubauen, ohne dadurch die Abspaltung vom Dänischen Königreichs voranzutreiben. In Anbetracht der Paradiplomatie-Theorie wendet die Studie eine Multi-Response-Fragebogen-Technik an, welche einen Überblick über historische und gegenwärtige Entwicklungen zwischen den Färöer und dänischen Staatsgewalten ermöglicht. Die Arbeit deckt dänische Argumente, die einer voranschreitenden Färöischen-Unabhängigkeit entgegenstehen auf, da diese aus historischer Sicht widersprüchlich sind. Des Weitern werden externe Faktoren, wie der zunehmende globale Fokus auf die Arktis, beobachtet, die dänische Politiker dazu veranlassen bisher unmöglich erscheinende Optionen zu berücksichtigen. Insgesamt geben diese Ergebnisse einen Impuls für einen Wandel, den die Färöer nutzen könnten um Veränderung einzufordern. Schlagwörter: Färöer Inseln, Paradiplomatie, Königreich Dänemark, Internationale Beziehungen, Auβenpolitik 2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Research Question ............................................................................................... 8 1.2 Novelty of the Research ...................................................................................... 8 1.3 Theoretical Definitions ........................................................................................ 9 1.4 Paradiplomacy in Short ..................................................................................... 11 1.5 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................... 16 1.6 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 18 Part I 2 Administrative History ............................................................................................. 22 2.1 From “Free Men” to Danish Administrative District ...................................... 22 2.2 The Rise of Faroese Nationalism ...................................................................... 23 2.3 The Unitary State ............................................................................................... 26 2.4 Suspending the Constitution? ........................................................................... 30 3 The Blooming of Paradiplomacy in the Faroe Islands ........................................... 33 3.1 External Factors ................................................................................................. 33 3.2 Internal Factors .................................................................................................. 36 4 The Legal Grounds for Faroese Paradiplomacy ..................................................... 40 5 The Institutionalisation of Faroese Paradiplomacy ................................................ 44 Part II 6 Contemporary History – The Framework on Trial ................................................. 46 7 Current Motives, Attitudes, and Prospects – Interview Analysis .......................... 50 7.1 Question 1: Predominant Motivations .............................................................. 52 7.2 Question 2: Danish Attitudes ............................................................................ 54 7.3 Question 3: Contradictions ................................................................................ 58 7.4 Question 4: Consequences ................................................................................ 60 Part III 8 Evaluation .................................................................................................................. 64 8.1 Legal Discussion ................................................................................................ 64 8.2 Political Legitimacy ........................................................................................... 68 9 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................ 73 10 Bibliography ........................................................................................................... 76 3 11 Appendix ................................................................................................................. 83 Expert interview with Bjørt Samuelsen ......................................................................... 83 Expert interview with Søren Espersen ........................................................................... 89 Expert interview with Uffe Østergård ............................................................................ 94 Expert interview with Christian Juhl .............................................................................. 99 Expert interview with Martin Breum ........................................................................... 106 Expert interview with Karin Gaardsted ........................................................................ 115 Expert interview with Sjúrður Skaale .......................................................................... 119 Expert interview with Árni Olafsson ........................................................................... 122 Expert interview with Beinta í Jákupsstovu ................................................................. 140 4 The Kingdom of Denmark1 1 Introduction Globalisation and regionalisation are blurring traditional legal and diplomatic divisions between sovereign states and other actors in the international arena. Transnational organisations and multinational corporations are altering conventional practices in international relations, and they challenge the long-standing monopoly on power that sovereign states have so long enjoyed. Less recognised, yet also increasingly active on the international stage are sub-national actors. It has become common place for sub-national territorial jurisdictions such as federal states, provinces, and regions such as the German länder to establish their own external representations, to engage independently in external relations, and to work in other ways to enhance their presence regionally as well as globally. 2018 marks 70 years since the Faroe Islands’ Home Government was established and the islands’ “self-governance within the Danish Kingdom” was launched.2 Nestled in the middle of the North Atlantic between Iceland, Scotland, and Norway, the Faroe Islands 1 Picture source: Private 2 Lov nr. 137 (1948, 23 March) Lov om Færøernes Hjemmestyre, § 1 5 are a small archipelago consisting of 18 islands. Their total land area of a mere 1,400 km2 could fit inside of London, yet Faroese offshore territory could easily engulf all the British Isles and then some with its 274,000 km2. Since the establishment of the Home Rule, the Faroe Islands have become increasingly autonomous, steadily taking over policy areas in accordance with the provisions set by the Faroese Home Rule Act of 1948,3 and from 2005, in accordance with the additional Takeover Act.4 The islands’ local authorities are now independently in charge of almost all internal affairs and certain foreign affairs – predominantly fisheries negotiations and trade. The legal framework that binds the Realm of the Danish Kingdom, which includes the Faroe Islands, Denmark, and Greenland, has proved to be quite flexible. One circumstance that attests to this claim, is the fact that while Denmark is a member of the European Union (EU), the Faroe Islands and Greenland stand on the outside as third parties to the EU. Thus, when negotiating fishing quotas for instance, Denmark