Post-Brexit fishing conflict: London will summon the French ambassador – franceinfo

London wants an explanation. The British government announced Thursday, October 28, its intention to summon the French ambassador after threats of retaliation formulated by Paris on the subject of post-Brexit fishing licenses. In this case, Paris accuses London of granting too few licenses despite agreements obtained after long negotiations.

The United Kingdom considers the French threats for its part “unjustified”. British Foreign Minister Liz Truss instructed her Secretary of State for Europe, Wendy Morton, to “summon the French ambassador”, according to a statement. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the British government had already estimated that “France’s threats are disappointing and disproportionate, and do not correspond to what one might expect from a close ally and partner.”

“We regret the language of confrontation which has been constantly used by the French government on this issue, which does not facilitate the resolution of things”, added the spokesperson. The tone rose after France announced the entry into force of the first retaliatory measures – tightening controls and banning British ships from disembarking in French ports – against the Channel Islands and the United Kingdom from November 2, if French fishermen do not obtain by then more licenses to fish in their waters.