Boris Johnson, today ahead of their G20 meeting, said that France and Britain have ‘bigger fish than the current fishing row’.
Paris has threatened to increase the checks on British boats, to start a ‘go slow’ strategy with Calais customs, stop UK fishing vessels landing in French ports, and to raise tariffs on energy bills for Jersey.
They are asking for Britain to grant more licenses for French fishermen to access British waterways.
Johnson was asked if there was a sense that the two were reuniting after their clash over Brexit at the G7 summit earlier in the year. He said no.
He told The i: ‘It’s about fish rather than sausages this time, I don’t know if that’s an improvement.
“Actually there are larger fish to fry. Everyone knows that. Are you concerned about that? The answer is “No.”
It comes after French Prime Minister Jean Castex said Britain must be punished for Brexit to show other EU states that ‘leaving is more damaging than remaining’ in a furious letter.
He wrote to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in an attempt to get backing for a new hard line stance against the UK.
Britain and France have a ‘bigger fish-to-fry’ than the current fishing row. Boris Johnson, pictured today at the G20 summit, Rome, Italy, today insists that this is the case ahead of their G20 meeting
Pictured: French President Emmanuel Macron (right) is greeted by Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi (left) at the G20 summit in Rome today
A fisherman speaks with journalists from the Cornelis -Gert Jan Dumfries, a British trawler. It is docked at Le Havre in northern France as it awaits permission to leave.
Friday’s fishing row saw a French trawler from the UK being detained by France. There were fears that this friction could lead to a full-blown trade conflict. Pictured: A fisherman reacts when he sees a photograph of him in a newspaper in Le Havre’s harbor, northern France yesterday
Friday’s French detention of a UK trawler prompted the fishing row to ramp up amid concerns that friction could lead to a full-blown trade conflict. After French authorities declared that it didn’t have a license, the Cornelis Gertjan was ordered to divert towards Le Havre.
The boss of the trawler claimed that his vessel was being used in a fishing dispute as a pawn and attacked the ‘politically motivated French.
Yesterday, Mr Johnson stressed that the Government will do “whatever it takes” to ensure that British fishing vessels can continue to operate as ‘lawful’.
Castex stated in his letter, which was reported on the Telegraph, that it was necessary for the European Union show its full determination to achieve full compliance by the United Kingdom and assert their rights by using the levers available to it in a firm and united manner.
“It is important to make it clear to the European public opinion that compliance is non-negotiable with the commitments entered into and that leaving the Union is worse than staying in it.
The news was announced by Macron, who seemed to suggest that the UK may not have kept its Brexit pledges.
Speaking in an interview with the Financial Times, he said Britain’s ‘credibility’ was at stake over the dispute in what will be seen as a reference to the handling of post-Brexit fishing licences.
He said to the newspaper, “When you spend years negotiating a deal and then a few short months later you do the exact opposite of what was agreed on the parts that you like the most, it is not a good sign of your credibility.”
France’s prime minister, Jean Castex, has written a furious letter stating that Britain must be punished for Brexit. This is to show other EU countries that ‘leaving’ is worse than staying. Jean Castex (pictured) sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen from the European Commission on Thursday, in an attempt at getting support for a tougher stance against Britain.
Friday was the G20 summit in Rome. Mr Johnson stated that the Government will do whatever it takes to ensure that British fishing boats can carry out their ‘lawful business’. Above: Carrie Johnson, the PM and Carrie arrive in Rome to attend the G20 summit
After a meeting with the crew, British Embassy staff in Paris leave the Cornelis–Gert Jan Trawler
Earlier on Friday, Mr Johnson demanded that French president Emmanuel Macron rein in his ministers stoking tensions over fishing rights – and warned that the UK ‘stands ready’ to respond if Paris escalates the situation.
Before the meeting on Sunday, the PM shot across Mr Macron’s bows – despite insisting the cross-Channel relationship was one of the UK’s ‘best & oldest’.
The French ambassador to London has been summoned by the British government to explain a series if threats that he made in relation to the row about rights to fish in British waters.
France’s fleet has been incensed that it has been refused permits, even though the UK authorities insist boats are granted access if they can prove they have historically been using them – in line with the post-Brexit trade deal.
In Le Havre, a registered scallop dredger from Scotland was also taken into custody in connection to an apparent ramping-up on Thursday.
British Embassy staff boarded a highjacked fishing boat Friday evening to discuss diplomatic row with the captain, his crew, and other officers.
The two officials arrived in a Mercedes limousine, which was driven from Paris. One confirmed: “We are here to visit the British nationals.”
It comes as France’s Europe minister Clement Beaune has been talking about tough action and insisting that Britain understands only the language of force.
Photographs showed the crew of the high-jacked fishing boat still remained in good spirits in Le Harve on Friday despite facing a £70,000 fine for allegedly poaching in French waters
Speaking to reporters en route to the G20 summit in Rome tonight, Boris Johnson (pictured) stressed that he did not believe French President Emmanuel Macron himself – who is facing a presidential election battle next spring – was making threats
When Mr Johnson was asked about France’s claim that it is ready to disrupt trade in Christmas disputes, he replied that ‘We will make every effort to protect UK interests. But that’s not what I have heard from my French friends. It would be a surprise if they took that approach. (Pictured by Macron)
Johnson also stated that France was one of our oldest and closest friends, allies, and partners (pictured with Macron).
Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson were pictured arriving to Italy Friday night for G20 Summit in Rome. They were wearing black facemasks with Union Jacks.
Officials of the British Embassy were photographed arriving at the British trawler held in Le Havre, northern France, today.
British Embassy Staff boarded Cornelis Gert January to meet with British crew. They were advised not to leave the ship for safety reasons as the row with France goes on.
The British boat was detained amid a dispute over fishing rights. This was caused by licensing rules for EU fishing vessels that want to operate in waters around Britain, and the Channel Islands.
Lord Frost today warned Brussels of Britain’s ‘rigorous controls’ on all EU fishing vessels in UK waters if France threatens to block British vessels from French ports. (Pictured, British Embassy staff meeting with crew of seized British Trawler)
British Embassy staff in Paris with fishermen and a French lawyer aboard the scallop trawler Cornelis–Gert Jan
The ship was taken into custody as France’s Europe minister Clement Beaune has been threatening tough action by insisting that Britain only understands ‘the language force’. (Pictured, British Embassy staff with the crew on the trawler).
Man thought to be the captain of the scallop trawler Cornelis – Gert Jan. It was impounded in France by the French Gendarmerie Maritime after ‘illegally’ fishing in the Bay of the Seine.
The crew of a trawler were warned to stay aboard for their safety as the fishing dispute between France and Britain continues.
Media in northern France photographed the man thought to be the captain on the British trawler.
The reported captain was seen walking with his lawyer after his crew were threatened with a £70,000 fine
British Embassy staff arrived in a Mercedes limousine from Paris in a Mercedes limousine. One confirmed that they were here to meet British nationals.
Speaking to reporters en route to the G20 summit in Rome tonight, Mr Johnson stressed that he did not believe Mr Macron himself – who is facing a presidential election battle next spring – was making threats.
Johnson said that France is one of the oldest closest allies and friends, as well as a partner.
“The ties that unify us and bind our hearts are stronger than any turmoil in the relationship.”
Emmanuel is a friend that I have known for many, many years.
He made an apparent dig at Mr Beaune’s French allies, and said: ‘There might be people on both sides who believe they have an incentive to promote disharmony in the UK and France, and promote the impression of disharmony in the UK and France.
‘I don’t think Emmanuel shares this perspective personally.
Johnson said that they are puzzled as to the nature of the issues. We fear there could be a violation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This is based on some of the statements that have been made. We are ready to take appropriate action.
The Cornelis Gertjan trawler’s sailors vowed to toast Queen Elizabeth with Scotch Whisky from Union Jack mugs
After French authorities declared that the Cornelis Gertjan (pictured Friday) did not have a license, it was ordered to divert towards Le Havre
It comes just days after George Eustice, Environment Minister, urged France to end its ‘unacceptable’ threats to its fishing row. Pictured: The crew seemed to be in good spirits aboard the scallop trawler this afternoon
When asked about France’s claims of wanting to disrupt trade during Christmas, Johnson replied: “We will do whatever it takes to protect the interests of the UK.” But that’s not what I’ve heard from our French friends. I would be very surprised if they followed that approach.
It comes after Lord Frost today warned Brussels that Britain will carry out ‘rigorous checks’ on all EU fishing boats in UK waters if France goes through with threats to block British vessels from French ports.
As the UK refuses to grant permission for more French boats to operate in British waters, a raging row over post Brexit fishing licences escalated this past week.
French ministers have said they could block British boats from ports and tighten checks on vessels if the UK does not give in by Tuesday next week.
Today, Lord Frost, the Government’s Brexit chief met in London with Maros Sefcovic, his EU counterpart, to discuss improving the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Lord Frost also raised the fishing row as he expressed concern about France’s ‘unjustified’ measures.
Lord Frost warned Brussels today that Britain would conduct ‘rigorous controls’ on all EU fishing vessels in UK waters if France threatens to block British vessels from French ports.
Today, Lord Frost, the Government’s Brexit chief met in London with Maros Sefcovic, his EU counterpart, to discuss improving the Northern Ireland Protocol
Britain was last night preparing a retaliatory strike after a UK fishing boat, the Cornelis Get Jan, was detained by France. France was concerned that the row could trigger a full-blown trade war.
The minister said if France goes ahead with its plans then the EU would be in breach of the Brexit deal and the UK would retaliate by rolling out tougher enforcement action in British waters.
The UK could also seek to start formal ‘dispute resolution proceedings’ against the bloc.
After Friday’s meeting, a spokesman for the UK Government said: “Lord Frost also raised concerns with the Vice President regarding the unjustified French measures announced earlier this week to disrupt UK’s fisheries and wider commerce, to threaten energy supply, and to prevent further cooperation between the UK & the EU, such as on the Horizon research program.
“Lord Frost stated that if these actions were carried out as planned on 2 Nov, they would be a breach of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
“The Government is therefore considering the possibility of launching dispute resolution proceedings under the TCA and other practical responses, such as implementing rigorous enforcement processes, checks on EU fishing activities in UK territorial waters, within terms of the TCA.
Crew members from the scallop trawler Cornelis Get Jan are pictured in Le Havre slashing the mooring lines
After the meeting, a spokesperson from the European Commission said that: “The Vice President encouraged Britain to intensify talks with the European Commission France in order for them to quickly resolve the matter of pending fishing licences. All French vessels entitled should receive a licence.
Today’s meeting centered on negotiations regarding the improvement of Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit border regulations.
The UK claimed that this week’s talks about the protocol were ‘conducted with a constructive spirit’, but that the’respectful’ participants had not been able to agree on the protocol.We still have significant gaps between us,” and more talks will be held in Brussels next week.