The Faroe Islands and the United States have a history of shared ties and shared values. As is the case in so many regions, the ties between the Faroe Islands and the United States are strong because they stem from the thousands of personal connections that Americans and Faroese have built over the years as we have traveled and studied and worked in each other’s lands.
We believe there are opportunities to further strengthen the relationship between the United States and the Faroe Islands.
During my travels here to this beautiful country and in my conversations with the Faroese government and people, I have focused on listening and understanding how the U.S. and Faroe Islands can best strengthen our cooperation in trade, science, health, tourism, investment, and other appropriate sectors.
And in July of this year, Secretary Pompeo announced during his visit to Denmark that the United States and the Faroe Islands had agreed to start a formal dialogue to talk about key issues, such as healthy fisheries and enhanced commercial and science cooperation.
Today, just a few months later, I stand here with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European & Eurasian Affairs Michael J. Murphy and our Faroese counterparts having just witnessed the signing of the Partnership Declaration between the United States of America and the Faroe Islands concerning increased cooperation.
This Partnership Declaration marks the beginning of strengthened cooperation between the United States and the Faroe Islands in areas of mutual interest — from marine resource management and environmental protection, to cultural cooperation and sustainable economic development, entrepreneurship, innovation, tourism, and trade.
I am pleased to be here at the signing of this Partnership Declaration, which will undoubtedly deepen the relationship between the American and Faroese governments and peoples. Thank you.
Faroese translation:
Føroyar og USA hava felags bond og felags virði, sum røkka langt aftur í søguna. Eins og í nógvum øðrum londum og økjum eru bondini millum Føroyar og USA sterk, tí amerikanarar og føroyingar í túsundatali hava knýtt sterk persónlig sambond ímillum sín gjøgnum ferðing, útbúgving og arbeiði í báðum londunum.
Vit trúgva, at har eru møguleikar at styrkja sambandið millum USA og Føroyar enn meira.
Á ferðum mínum til hetta vakra land og í samrøðunum við stjórnina og føroyska fólkið, havi eg lagt meg eftir at skilja, hvussu USA og Føroyar á bestan hátt kunnu styrkja samstarvið innan handil, vísindi, ferðavinnu, íløgur og onnur øki.
Og í juli í ár kunngjørdi amerikanski uttanríkisráðharrin Pompeo á vitjan síni í Danmark, at USA og Føroyar høvdu gjørt avtalu um at byrja at samráðast um lyklaevni, so sum burðardygga fiskivinnu økt samstarv innan handil og vísindi.
Í dag, bert nakrar fáar mánaðir seinni, standi eg her saman við varauttanríkisráðharra í evropeiskum og evrasiskum málum, Michael J. Murphy, og føroysku starvsfeløgum okkara. Vit eru í dag vitni til, at partalagsyvirlýsingin um økt samstarv millum USA og Føroyar er undirskrivað.
Henda partalagsyvirlýsing er ein varði, sum vitnar um eitt styrkt samstarv ímillum USA og Føroyar um øki, sum eru felags áhugamál – úr umsiting av sjótilfeingi og umhvørvisvernd til mentanarligt samstarv og burðardygga búskaparliga menning, íverksetan, nýhugsan, ferðavinnu og handilsvirksemi.
Eg eri fegin um at luttaka, nú partalagsyvirlýsingin er undirskrivað. Hetta fer óivað at styrkja sambandið ímillum amerikansku og føroysku stjórnirnar og tjóðirnar báðar. Takk fyri.