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Negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom dragged on until Christmas week when haggling for hundreds of millions of euros in annual catch became the final matter frustrating a deal.
Britain’s determination to recover as much of the € 650 million worth of fish caught in its waters by EU vessels annually as possible has met stiff opposition from member states eager to protect coastal cities.
Called by both sides as “very difficult”, the talks broke a deadline set by the European Parliament, which warned that it would refuse to ratify an agreement before January 1 if it arrived later than midnight on Sunday.
Brussels and London took a step towards the other, and Britain cut its demand that the EU give up 80 percent of its annual catch to 60 percent, with a gradual transition period of three years, according to sources close to the talks. . .
After an intense tick tack between member states over the weekend to analyze what would be acceptable in national capitals, the EU increased its offer to give between 18% and 25%, staggered over six years, as understood by The Irish Times.
The percentages changed at different points over the weekend, and on Sunday night, EU sources said they were waiting for a counter offer from Britain, where Downing Street was said to be struggling to juggle talks and turmoil. by Covid-19.
Parallel offers
An EU diplomat dismissed the idea that Britain could sign “side agreements” with neighboring countries to ease the chaos that would ensue if no deal was reached, a suggestion made by British Cabinet Minister Michael Gove.
“London expects mini deals, but unless London makes a better offer for the fish, there will be no mini-deals, just no deals,” the diplomat warned.
British negotiators have been in Brussels for a week longer than planned after talks collapsed earlier on Sunday when they were called to the negotiating table from the Eurostar terminal on their way to London.
The pressure of Christmas is likely to bring the talks to an imminent conclusion. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the negotiations are at a “crucial moment”.
“The EU remains committed to a fair, reciprocal and balanced agreement,” he wrote. “Both the EU and the UK should have the right to make their own laws and control their own waters. And we should both be able to act when our interests are at stake.
Meanwhile, a group from the Irish fishing industry has asked the government to threaten to use its veto against a trade deal if the industry does not receive sufficient compensation for giving up a disproportionate share of the EU catches that negotiators propose to return to the Kingdom. United to secure a broader agreement.
The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organization has reacted with surprise to a proposal made during negotiations that would amount to Irish fishing vessels awarding € 44 million of the € 160 million EU annual catch of fish in UK waters. in an offer presented by Brussels at the Negotiations.
“If this deal is going to hurt us so badly, then the government should use the veto to get compensation from others,” said KFO CEO Sean O’Donoghue.
“If it is that this is the agreement that is being closed, then Ireland needs, before signing it, to make the other member states take care of the unfair burden that we are carrying.”
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