In response to French threats over fishing etc, the French ambassador to the UK, Catherine Colonna has been summoned to meet Britain’s Europe Minister Wendy Morton this afternoon at the FCO.
The fact that a junior minister is informing the French of the displeasure of Her Britannic Majesty's Government may, or may not, be taken as a sign that the UK doesn't want to escalate this too much or may in fact be taken as a slap in the face to France's dignity.
France is none too happy with the UK and has decreed that it will introduce extra controls on boats and trucks coming from the UK, in retaliation for what it says is Britain’s failure to honour its commitments on fishing rights, the government announced Wednesday.
Bizarrely it has also threatened to disrupt the UK’s energy supply if Britain fails to address French concerns over fishing licenses. London branded the proposed moves "very disappointing."
From November 2, it will ban British fishing boats from landing at designated French ports and introduce systematic security controls of British boats as well as reinforced health and customs controls, it said Wednesday. It will also reinforce checks on trucks headed to or coming from the UK.
It said “a second series” of measures was also “being prepared.”
Unsurprisingly, David Frost was unimpressed.
1/2 It is very disappointing that France has felt it necessary to make threats late this evening against the UK fishing industry and seemingly traders more broadly.
— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) October 27, 2021
We set out our position earlier this evening. https://t.co/2kuHofrWsw pic.twitter.com/kfhH2ML6hz
🔴 Poland has vowed to "defend our rights with any weapons which are at our disposal" as it warned the EU against starting "World War Three" https://t.co/A2m9eNV7IY
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 25, 2021
Brussels has vowed to punish Poland for its challenge over key elements of EU law.
Ursula von der Leyen said the EU had three ways of hitting back at Poland, and “will act.”
In response to von der Leyen’s threats, Poland’s PM Mateusz Morawiecki told the European Parliament he rejected “the language of threats.”
The European Union risks collapse or becoming a dictatorship if it continues to blackmail Warsaw over fears of "Polexit", the Polish prime minister said.
As Brexit Minister David Frost heads to Brussels for a lunchtime summit
with his European Commission opposition number Maroš Šefčovič, the Remain camp are having to eat some humble pie.
Some Remainers won’t like it, but PM has got a better deal for N Ireland by aggressive negotiation @indypremium https://t.co/fZYVImJudc pic.twitter.com/ozNefx3iiG
— John Rentoul (@JohnRentoul) October 15, 2021
Brussels last night made a significant move by proposing a compromise that would see a major reduction in checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
However, whilst the UK has welcomed the concessions and a reopening of talks, there are sticking points; not least the thorny issue of the European Court of Justice's oversight of the Northern Ireland protocol.
The talks will doubtless go on for weeks. As to whether they will end up serving fudge or lemon sours for Christmas remains to be seen.
We are reaching a point where the people of Northern Ireland may need to consider unifying with the South, in order to resolve this once and for all.
