Holyrood joins 12th round of Rockall fight

Published on Sunday 13 January 2008 23:58

SCOTTISH Government officials will take part in talks to resolve the sovereignty of Rockall – a disputed lump of granite that sticks out of the Atlantic 200 miles west of St Kilda.

Several countries believe they have a legitimate claim to the rock, which would give the owners the mineral rights to the surrounding seabed.

British, Irish, Danish and Icelandic officials have met 11 times since 2002 to discuss the future of Rockall and more talks are due to take place next month.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "These negotiations could impact on the 200 nautical-mile boundary of the Scottish fishing zone.

"We, therefore, have a real interest in these negotiations. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Scottish Government are working together and it has been agreed that Scottish Government officials will be represented on the UK negotiating team."

The final boundary will be determined by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. Parties have until May 2009 to submit reports to the commission.