The head of the Fifth Republic doubts that an agreement with London will be reached in 2020.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the main obstacle to a trade deal between the EU and Britain, which left the block on January 31. This was reported by AFP on February 23.
According to the French leader, London in the negotiations on a trade agreement can use the issue of fishing conditions in the English Channel as an instrument of pressure on European partners.
“I’m not sure that the agreement will be concluded before the end of the year”, – Macron said at a meeting with representatives of the fishing industry at an agricultural trade event in Paris, noting that fishing rights will be the highlight of the dispute.
France and a number of other European countries want to be able to fish in British waters, while the UK wants complete autonomy and limited access for European fishermen.