"UK-EU Negotiations Likely to Miss European Parliament Deadline... Fisheries Talks Still Facing Difficulties"

Minister of Buddhism: "We Must Not Sacrifice Benefits Due to Schedule"
Final Negotiations Ahead of Transition Period End

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Secretary of State for European Affairs Cl?ment Beaune Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the future relationship negotiations between the UK and the European Union (EU) following Brexit (the UK's withdrawal from the EU) are in their final stages with ten days left before the end of the transition period, a French government official predicted that the talks are likely to extend beyond the 20th (local time), the deadline set by the European Parliament.

According to the Guardian and other daily newspapers, Cl?ment Beaune, France's Secretary of State for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this prediction on the 19th amid ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU over fishing issues. Earlier, the European Parliament demanded that the negotiating teams complete the talks by the 20th to proceed with ratification by the 28th, ahead of the end of the transition period at the end of the year.

Beaune, a close aide to French President Emmanuel Macron, said, "Well, since it is Sunday evening, it is normal not to say 'let's finish and sacrifice everything'." He added, "This is difficult and sometimes not easy to understand, but time is needed, and in any case, we must not be pressured by the schedule or sacrifice our interests."

The key contentious issue in the current UK-EU negotiations is the fishing sector, which is closely related to France. France faces the UK across the English Channel, and depending on the negotiation outcomes, the livelihoods of French fishermen could be directly affected. President Macron has repeatedly pressured the EU negotiating team not to concede too much on fishing issues.

The revenue generated from fishing by British and EU vessels in the English Channel is approximately 850 million euros and 650 million euros, respectively. The EU recently proposed in negotiations to grant the UK about 25% of the catch quota, which translates to around 162.5 million euros annually. However, the UK is holding out for a figure closer to its demand of 60%, equivalent to about 390 million euros, according to the Guardian.

There remains a significant difference in positions regarding the timing of future revisions to the fishing agreement. The EU initially wanted a 10-year period but has narrowed it down to 6 years, while the UK continues to insist on the 3 years it originally requested. Additionally, the UK rejects the EU's demand to impose tariffs on UK goods in response if the UK blocks access to the Channel after this period ends.

A UK government official told the Guardian that the most likely outcome at present is a 'No Deal' scenario, with no agreement reached. "Negotiations are ongoing, but there is still a large gap in positions," the official said. They added that it is highly likely that an Australian-style model will be introduced, which involves trading with the EU under the World Trade Organization (WTO) common rules plus additional treaties as needed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.