It is not known whether France will actually introduce threatened measures.
(Photo: Reuters)
London In the escalating fisheries dispute between Great Britain and France, a British minister has threatened retaliatory measures if Paris does not give in. It is not known whether France will actually introduce threatened measures, said Environment Minister George Eustice on Friday the broadcaster Sky News. “But if you introduce them, then we can play this game and reserve the right to react appropriately.” There was initially no reaction from France.
On Wednesday, the French government announced that from November 2nd, British fishing boats would no longer be allowed to moor in certain French ports. In addition, France will systematically check the safety of British boats in the future. Trucks driving from France to Great Britain or in the opposite direction should also be checked more closely.
On Thursday, France then arrested a British fishing boat for allegedly lacking licenses. London then called in the French ambassador for Friday. Eustice also indicated that Prime Minister Boris Johnson could raise the issue at the G20 summit in Rome this weekend.
The fishing dispute has been simmering for a long time. The background to this is the question of how many foreign fishermen will be allowed to catch in British waters after Brexit. During the negotiations on the British trade pact with the EU, this was the most controversial issue, which at times seemed to make an agreement almost impossible.
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On the EU side, it was above all the French who were adamant; the topic has always been treated extremely emotionally and plays with age-old resentment against the other country.
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