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The French president has demanded that EU fishermen have continuous access to British waters. However, with a Brexit deal in the offing, Macron could be forced to drop his demand on fishing. The issue is a crucial point for the president, who will begin the run-up to the 2022 elections.
The BBC’s Katya Adler said: “Macron is under pressure to compromise his maximalist position on the fishing rights of EU fishers in UK waters, but it is politically very sensitive to him.”
“He already has the 2022 presidential election on his mind.
“Key rivals could accuse him of sacrificing French interests.”
Macron has asked that any agreement maintain access similar to what has been seen within the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Under the CFP, EU member states have equal access to waters within Europe’s exclusive economic zone.
Due to the large and rich coastal waters of the UK, British fishermen have claimed that the policy has allowed EU fleets to exploit our coastal region.
Besides a level playing field, fishing remains one of the main areas of divergence between the two sides.
However, as time for a deal runs out, Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will hold talks on Saturday to help break out of the deadlock.
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Fishing quotas for EU fishermen would also be gradually reduced over the period.
While this proposal has not yet been accepted, the EU has seen it as a sign of progress during the negotiations.
The UK has identified the EU summit on October 15 as the deadline for a deal.
British negotiators also hope to hold tunnel talks, away from media scrutiny, in the run-up to the summit.
EU officials, by contrast, have tagged the end of the month for a possible deal.
More to follow …
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