“Copy”, Even “Revenge” : In the case of licenses moderately granted by the United Kingdom to French fishermen, the tone on the French side is rising.

“In a week or so, if we do not have clear British signals regarding licenses, we will announce national or European, response, retaliation and, if necessary, retaliatory measures.”, Clement Boone, French Secretary of State for European Affairs, announced in the Senate on Wednesday, October 13th.

France is particularly threatening to cut power supplies to Jersey, Take action in financial services or research.

“We are very patient, very patient (…) The British do not want to issue a fixed number of licenses, not because they are unaware, but because they made this political choice. “, Beat Secretary of State.

Out of 244, 200 licenses were issued

Under the post-Brexit agreement between London and Brussels, which reached its climax late last year, some European fishermen could continue to work in British waters, subject to a license, if they could prove that they had fished there. But the French and the British argue over the nature and scope of the aid documents to be provided.

London and Jersey still have more than 200 fixed licenses in disputed fishing areas (6-12 miles off the British coast and the Channel Islands), while Paris still requires 244.

“It simply came to our notice then (…) This is a European problem. “Clement Boone recalls that Belgium and Ireland are concerned. “We are mobilizing our European partners”, He added.

Eleven countries, including France, have signed a joint statement on Monday criticizing the United Kingdom’s response to the European Front’s call against London following British decisions on fishing licenses.

The signatories to the declaration are Germany, Belgium, Cyprus, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.