Saturday 30th October 2021
Hard fronts in the fisheries dispute
Johnson warns Paris of breach of contract
The clock is ticking: will France and Great Britain agree in their Brexit dispute over fishing rights? It doesn’t look like it at the moment. Now Prime Minister Johnson and President Macron meet.
A few days before a French ultimatium to Great Britain expires, the fronts in the fisheries dispute have hardened. While French President Emmanuel Macron declared the conflict a test of London’s credibility, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Paris against breaking treaties. According to information from London, the two top politicians wanted to address the dispute on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome.
The French Prime Minister Jean Castex turned to the EU Commission for support. London does not adhere to the agreements from the Brexit treaty, Macron told the Financial Times (Saturday). That is being watched closely around the world. “If you negotiate a contract for years and a few months later do the opposite of what was decided in the areas you least like, that’s not a great sign of credibility,” said Macron. Johnson threatened the Sky News broadcaster with activating the dispute settlement mechanism agreed in the Brexit treaty and thereby exacerbating the conflict. His government is preparing countermeasures, said Johnson.
A British boat has already been arrested
Paris accuses London of not having issued licenses to many French boats to fish in British waters, contrary to the agreements. London rejects this. There is not much time left to resolve the conflict. France is threatening to closely inspect British boats from Tuesday and not allow them to dock in certain French ports. Trucks driving from France to the UK or in the opposite direction should also be more strictly controlled.
A British boat has already been arrested and the captain charged. According to the British media, Castex is soliciting support for the French position from EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in the letter on Thursday. The EU must show firm determination to ensure that London adheres to the agreements made and use all leverage to enforce its rights, it says. The European public must also be shown that it is non-negotiable to stick to signed agreements and that it is more harmful to leave the EU than to stay in it. Initially, there was no confirmation of the letter from Paris.
The head of the French ports of Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer on the English Channel called the dispute “ridiculous”. If the conflict worsens and France actually bans British boats in the ports and does not let British trucks through, this will have terrible consequences for both sides, said Jean-Marc Puissesseau on BBC Radio 4. “And all because of 40 small boats, who are not allowed to fish in (UK waters). ” He hoped for an agreement.