Fisheries remain a problem, but the Union is willing to negotiate in the new year

Fisheries remain a problem, but the Union is willing to negotiate in the new year

Fisheries remain a problem in the negotiations between Britain and the European Union on a post-brexit trade agreement, and the latest British offer in this area is not acceptable to the EU. However, Brussels is ready to continue negotiations with London next year.

The Union does not want to close the door on Britain

This was stated for Reuters by two EU diplomatic sources after the European Union's chief negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier, informed the representatives of the 27 member states about the development of the negotiations. "We have made some progress. Most points have been tentatively closed to see if they are close to closure. On the other hand, when it comes to fishing, differences of opinion have still not been overcome," said one EU diplomat. According to the diplomat, who did not want to be appointed, the Union's negotiators are trying to reach an agreement, but added that the Union "still does not plan to close the door on Britain and is ready to continue negotiations after January 1, 2021".

Brussels requires a transitional period of six years

According to the second diplomat, Barnier also told representatives of the 27 EU member states that fishing remained the main problem. The problem is not only the extent of the reduction in the value of fish caught by European fishermen (the British recently proposed a 30% reduction in the value of catches, while the EU intends to accept 25%), but also the transitional period during which London will gradually restrict European fishermen's free access to British waters. Britain proposes such a transitional period of three years, but Brussels requires a minimum of six. According to diplomatic sources, the negotiations are still ongoing and neither party is interested in concluding them.