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Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has come under increasing pressure from major EU fishing nations, including Belgium, Denmark and France, to gain access to UK waters beyond the transition period. UK Brexit chief negotiator David Frost has not wavered in his commitment to remove Britain from the controversial Common Fisheries Policy and control of the UK’s coastline.
Ahead of a crucial EU summit next week, Clement Beaune, the minister for European Affairs and a close ally of Macron, has argued that France will not sell out its fishermen to reach a deal with Britain.
He said: “Our fishermen will not be a bargaining chip for Brexit, they will not have to pay the price of Britain’s elections.”
However, Ben Harris-Quinney, chairman of the independent think tank Bow Group, believes Macron will eventually back down on his demands if fishing is the only obstacle to a free trade deal.
Talking to Express.co.uk, said: “Boris knows how important the preservation of our fishing waters is to the Brexit movement, but Macron and the EU also face pressure from Spanish and European fishermen.
“A compromise is possible and Macron is unlikely to push for no agreement on fisheries policy alone, assuming all other elements of an agreement are agreed.”
The lead negotiator, Mr. Barnier and Lord Frost, held informal talks inside Number 10 on Friday afternoon before the vital Brussels showdown next week.
Downing Street said there had been “useful discussions” but acknowledged that there were still differences on “important issues”.
Unfinished business, such as fishing rights, state aid and governance, remain high on the agenda.
The EU is known for going to the wire in the talks and Harris-Quinney insists that this time it will be no different.
The political expert added that the stakes had been growing due to the coronavirus pandemic, which he said has left the prime minister “weak” and warned that a no-deal outcome on top of that could cause “outrage” with the British public.
Johnson previously set an Oct. 15 deadline for reaching a deal, and Harris-Quinney added that the prospect of a no-deal exit remains at stake, as the EU is “paralyzed” by all 27 member states.
He added: “Most negotiations like this see 99 percent progress in the last few hours, and it is impossible to know how much each party is willing to commit until the deadline looks them in the face.
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Following informal talks between Lord Frost and his EU counterpart in London, the Prime Ministers’ spokesman said: “We have had useful discussions this week.
“Progress has been made in some areas, however, there are still differences on some important issues, but we remain committed to trying to reach a free trade agreement.
“We continue to want an agreement, we continue to want an FTA but it is important that we can agree on some issues.”
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