British, France agree more talks on fishing row

Britain and France on Thursday agreed to hold more talks next week to solve a row on fishing rights that has threatened to turn into a post-Brexit trade war, after senior ministers met in Paris.

Although there was no indication of a breakthrough after Brexit minister David Frost met French Europe Minister Clement Beaune, the desire to keep talking signalled a renewed interest in dialogue.

"They discussed the range of difficulties arising from the application of the agreements between the UK and the EU. Both sides set out their positions and concerns," a UK government spokesperson said, adding they "expect to speak again early next week".

Frost will now travel on to Brussels for talks with European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic on Friday, the spokesperson added.

There was no immediate comment from France. Beaune is a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron and vocal in his belief that France should not pay for what he sees as Britain's mistake of leaving the EU.

"We are always hopeful of making progress but we will see where we get to," Frost told ITV news before boarding his train to Paris.

- 'All options on table' -

The dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights has strained already troubled relations between Paris and London following Britain's exit from the European Union and has threatened to escalate into a full-blown trade war.

While British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday made it clear that London's position had not changed there are signs both sides favour diplomacy to avoid the situation worsening.

French government spokesman Gabriel Attal on Wednesday emphasised that "all options are on the table" even after Macron put off implementing trade sanctions to give the talks a chance.

France has threatened to ban British boats from unloading their catches at French ports and to subject all British imports to inspections.

Officials have also raised the prospect of decreasing power supplies to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, crown dependencies which are not part of the UK but which depend on London for their security.

"We are happy the French government withdrew its threats on Monday, that has created space for these discussions," said Frost.

Under a deal agreed by Britain and the EU late last year, European fishing vessels can continue to ply UK waters if they can prove they operated there in the past.

But Paris says dozens of French boats have had their applications to fish the UK's rich waters rejected.

The total volumes affected are tiny in terms of overall France-UK bilateral trade.

But analysts say Macron is keen to take a hard line against Johnson as he eyes re-election in a 2022 poll while the British premier is also keen to talk tough in the wake of Brexit.

In the run-up to the talks, Frost tweeted official UK figures which London maintains show almost all licences requested by French fishing vessels have been issued, contrary to statements by French officials.

- Free to go -

On Wednesday evening, British trawler the Cornelis Gert Jan, impounded by France for over a week in the dispute, left the French northern port of Le Havre after receiving permission to leave, an AFP correspondent said.

Its captain, Jondy Ward, still faces charges of gathering two tons of scallops in French waters without a proper licence.

But the lawyer for the ship's captain, Mathieu Croix, told AFP a court in the nearby city of Rouen had allowed it to leave without posting any financial guarantee.

The court rejected the state's demand that the trawler remain impounded until a 150,000-euro ($175,000) bond had been deposited, he said.

"It is a good decision, of a kind that will allow the tensions to drop," said the lawyer. "French justice is independent from political pressure," he added.

The captain still faces a trial in Le Havre on August 11, 2022 on charges of non-authorised fishing in French waters by a boat from outside the European Union, which carry a maximum fine of 75,000 euros ($87,000).