Macron threat to block Brexit deal over fishing row
EMMANUEL Macron is threatening to block a UK- EU trade deal as Brexit tensions over fishing rights intensify.
The French President last night warned that his government could veto any agreement between the EU and the British government that restricted access to UK coastal waters for French fishing vessels.
His outburst followed a complaint by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove that the EU was making “unfair” demands on the issue.
The spat erupted yesterday as EU and UK negotiators continued wrangling to try to thrash out a post- Brexit trade deal by the end of this week.
Mr Macron lined up with Belgian premier Alexander De Croo in rejecting the possibility of a Brexit trade deal “at any cost”.
Speaking at a joint news conference, the French President said: “Our two countries are among the most concerned by a Brexit we didn’t choose. We are particularly vigilant on the level playing field, today and in the future, and the question of fishing.
“The preservation of the activities of our fishermen in British waters is an essential condition, the fair rules of the market in the future are equal.”
Earlier, Mr Gove, the minister in charge of contingency preparations for a no- deal end to the negotiations, said: “The EU still want to take the lion’s share of the fishing in our waters, which is just not fair given that we are leaving the EU.” Acknowledging that talks were “getting close to the wire” ahead of the Brexit transition period finishing at the end of the month, Mr Gove added: “Whether or not we have a free trade agreement – and I fervently hope that we do – more than 80 per cent of what business needs to do is the same anyway.” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warned the two sides were struggling to reach agreement on common regulatory standards. She insisted to secure a tariff and quota- free access to the bloc’s market, Britain would have to sign up to EU rules on state aid, environmental standards and workers’ rights.