Brexit: France needs to 'speak language of strength' says Beaune
Maros Sefcovic, vice president of the European Commission, met with Clement Beaune, France's State Secretary for European Affairs, on Monday afternoon. Later, on Twitter he described how the two had “discussed the application of the [UK-EU] agreement, in particular the issue of the licenses of fish."
Related articles
In addition, Mr Beaune wrote: “European unity, full respect for our agreements, relentless defence of our fishermen.”
His latest intervention comes amid continuing EU-mediated talks over what France perceives as a lack of access to UK waters after Brexit.
France has repeatedly complained the UK and Jersey have not granted as many licenses as French fishermen are applying for.
Two Royal Naval river-class patrol boats, HMS Severn and HMS Tamar, were sent to Jersey in May, after French fishermen threatened to blockade Jersey’s harbour in protest.
France had previously said it could stop UK boats landing in its ports, and set an ultimatum deadline of the Monday after the start of the COP26 climate summit.
However, after the UK Government threatened to start “rigorous” checks on EU fishing activities in retaliation, just hours before the deadline, France climbed down.
Instead, President Emmanuel Macron agreed to return to discussions between the two nations and the European Commission, and ruled out any reprisals “while we’re negotiating”.
Last week, Mr Sefcovic issued a stark warning to the UK to conclude negotiations over fishing rights “on time and in a satisfactory manner” as talks over the Northern Irish border continue.
French ministers have been accused of seeking to stoke tensions over the issue in recent months.