Monday, November 1st, 2021
Dispute over fishing licenses
Macron postpones sanctions against the British
The conflict over fishing licenses between Paris and London is still unresolved. France wanted to close its ports to British fishermen from midnight. But Macron is not taking any punitive measures for the time being. There are “first signals” from London, it is said from the Elysée Palace.
In the dispute over fishing licenses, France is not imposing any punitive measures against Great Britain for the time being. Until a meeting scheduled for Thursday between the British Brexit representative David Frost and France’s European State Secretary Clément Beaune, there will be no sanctions, said the Office of the President in Paris. France had previously threatened to take punitive measures from midnight on Tuesday night.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on the sidelines of the world climate conference in Glasgow that his government would “not impose sanctions while we are negotiating”. From the Elysée Palace it was said that France had received “initial signals” from London to “accelerate” the talks. A response from London to “the latest proposals” from Paris is expected by Wednesday. The UK government welcomed the postponement of the planned sanctions.
Paris and London are arguing over fishing rights in British territorial waters following the UK’s exit from the EU. Paris accuses the British authorities of granting too few fishing permits for French ships. France therefore wanted to check all goods from Great Britain from midnight on Tuesday night and close its ports to British fishermen.
The British side has so far referred to the usual administrative procedures. There is nothing to negotiate, said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday. Trade Minister Liz Truss said that London could respond to French sanctions with “retaliatory measures”.