French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took advantage of a Sunday sideline meeting during the G20 summit in Rome to agree to find solutions to a fight about fishing privileges that is growing increasingly nasty.
The two said they will seek a way to de-escalate the situation, according to local media. However, Macron also reportedly told Johnson that it was important for Britain to "play by the rules" and to remember the Brexit treaties he signed.
According to the Elysee Palace, the goal after the meeting is to come up with practical guidelines as quickly as possible to reduce tensions, according to media reports.
According to Downing Street, Johnson "reiterated his deep concern" about the French government's recent rhetoric, noting a comment by the French prime minister that Britain should be punished for leaving the EU. He said he hoped for an end to such threats.
When Britain left the EU, it promised to continue to allow French fishing crews access to its waters, as had been standard when both countries were members of the bloc. However, French and EU officials have argued in recent weeks that Britain is failing to renew permits that have routinely been approved in the past.
France has threatened to close its harbours to British fishing crews starting on Tuesday. Additionally, it has threatened increased checks of British lorries and boats.
Britain has denied any change in its behaviour and has promised responses to the French threats that would affect the entire EU.
But the French also pointed out that the ongoing fight is one between Britain and the EU and said they had the impression Johnson was trying to turn it into a French-British conflict.
Source: DPA
