France has decided to resort to forceful measures against the UK in a bid to force the kingdom to comply with Brexit agreements with the European Union
The crux of the conflict is as follows.
London has not given Paris the fishing licences promised under the Brexit Treaty in British territorial waters.
The right to fish in British waters has been one of the main topics in negotiations between the EU and the UK since the latter’s exit from the EU. It was agreed that fishing companies from Europe could continue to fish in these waters if they could prove that they operated between 2012 and 2016. But the fact is that companies using small vessels are unable to provide such data because they lack geolocation data.
Paris considers the refusal of such companies an absolutely unacceptable position of London and demands the issuance of licenses to all French fishermen.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex quote:
“We call on the European Commission to ensure that the commitments made by the UK on licensing are strictly implemented, and we do not rule out the possibility of reviewing cooperation with London in various sectors if it continues to violate the agreement.”
France claims that information from the UK Environment Department that 98% of European vessels have been licensed is false.
A confrontation in diplomatic cabinets eventually turned into an open confrontation at sea.
The French maritime police detained two of the kingdom’s ships.
One was released after paying a €75,000 fine and confiscating 2 tonnes of seafood on board. The other is still under arrest.
Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Bona was quoted as saying:
“We are forced to speak to the British from a position of strength. I am afraid the British government does not understand any other language. From 2 November, British fishing vessels will be banned from entering six French ports. Customs and health checks will be stepped up, which will also apply to lorries entering and leaving the tunnel that connects the two countries.
If these measures do not help, we will increase the electricity tariffs for the British island of Jersey, which depends almost “entirely on supplies from France.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was literally infuriated by the French demarche and the detention of British ships.
According to a source close to Johnson, he was ready to call President Macron and say in a rude way what he thought of the situation.
But at the last moment, Johnson changed his mind.
We are left to wait to see what British revenge on the French will be.
Vladimir Karasev, specially for News Front