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The first team of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, asked the member states of the European Union with the largest fishing fleets to rethink the “final offer” made by the United Kingdom after the Downing Street government took an important step to break the deadlock over Brexit The European Union, according to the British newspaper “The Guardian”.
It is understood that France and Denmark are the most cautious in making a counter offer, but they may budge from their current demand that their ships lose only 25% of the value of fish caught in British waters..
The president of the European Commission spoke by phone to Boris Johnson on Monday evening to discuss a way forward, and EU sources said that von der Leyen was determined to find a consensus area to reach an agreement..
The behind-the-scenes discussions continued on Tuesday morning between the chief aides of the Commission and the European Union capitals most affected by the changes in fishing arrangements imposed by Brexit..
According to European Union sources, under a proposal made by the UK’s chief negotiator, David Frost, on Monday afternoon, the British demand has been reduced by 60% in catches by value in British waters to 35%, much closer to 25%. The reduction that Michel Barnier, Frost’s European counterpart, has said he is willing to accept.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has proposed a five-year phased entry period for the new arrangements – starting with his initial three-year offer – with a potential compromise also on the application of tariffs or export bans on goods where access to fishing changes.
