Oslo - Suspected Somali pirates arrested by Norwegian naval forces would be sent to Kenya to stand trial, the Norway's Defence Minister Grete Faremo said Wednesday.

Faremo told the Bergens Tidende newspaper that even if conditions in Kenyan detention centres were not comparable with those of Norwegian prisons, trials would not be held in Norway.

The move was in line with that of the European Union, although Norway is not a member of the 27-nation bloc.

The EU has a fleet of warships patrolling international waters off the coast of Somalia to protect shipping lanes and to escort United Nations food aid vessels. Norway has contributed one vessel to the mission. (dpa)