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The European Commission has given the United Kingdom an ultimatum of December 10 to unblock the conflict over the licenses of French fishermen and allow them to go to British waters.
“A few hundred licenses are pending”, estimated Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Friday December 10 on franceinfo, while the European Commission has set an ultimatum for the United Kingdom which has until this evening to unblock the conflict over non-fishing licenses. – granted to French fishermen. “There will not be all the licenses to which we are entitled by this evening, but if the British, today, undertake to give a few dozen more licenses as a gesture of goodwill to show that the dialogue carries its fruits, we will take it into account “, said Clément Beaune.
In contrast, “if they stick to their positions, we will ask the European Commission to announce the opening of a dispute with the British over the weekend”, he added. This dispute will lead to legal proceedings. One way for the Secretary of State for European Affairs to “tell the British that they do not respect the agreement made with the European Union” and tell them “that all Europeans recognize that they do not respect this agreement”. “A legal procedure is not just papers and courts, it is also customs measures that Europe can collectively take”, so as not to recognize certain English products or impose taxes, recalled Clément Beaune.
“This firmness has made it possible to obtain the vast majority of licenses, but they are lacking today and each boat that is missing is a problem for a family, for an economic activity, so we will fight with firmness and dialogue, if possible, to do so “, assured Clément Beaune. Until tonight’s ultimatum, Paris still hopes to put pressure on the United Kingdom. “We are going to work again today”, clarified Clément Beaune concerning several meetings planned between the Commission and the British.