Brexit may 'ignite true reform' in the EU says MEP
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In a bold threat, Emmanuel Macron’s righthand man and EU minister warned there will be retaliatory measures on financial services if the UK does not respect the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Praising the Brexit deal, Mr Beaune insisted the pact must be fully respected by the UK as France announced a new aid package for fishermen. Speaking to French TV station BFM, Mr Beaune said: “The UK is expecting a number of financial services authorisations from us.
“We will not give any until we have the guarantees that on fishing and other subjects, the United Kingdom is respecting its commitments, added Clément Beaune on BFM Business.
“It’s give-and-take. Everyone must respect their commitments, otherwise, we will be as brutal and difficult as necessary.”
Within the Brexit deal, the EU managed to tie in clauses which would end preferential tariffs on other goods in the agreement, or even suspend parts of the deal.
Under the agreement, the UK will see a 25 percent quota return over a five-and-a-half-year period.
EU ships will also have current access levels throughout this period before the two sides renegotiate terms in 2026.
Either side can terminate the deal within nine months’ notice although obligations will continue until the end of the year.
Mr Beaune added: “This is a good deal, especially on fishing and competition.
“If the UK does not enforce it, we will respond with retaliatory measures.
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“This is not a blank cheque. A good deal is only good if it is well applied.”
Mr Beaune and fisheries minister Annick Girardin travelled to Boulogne-sur-Mer where they announced a €100million (£86million) compensation package for fishermen.
MEPs will vote to ratify the Brexit deal tonight, months after it was agreed in December.
The ballots will be counted tonight before the result is announced on Wednesday morning.
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Ahead of the vote today, the EU’s negotiator Michel Barnier labelled Brexit a “failure of the EU”.
He also urged both the EU member states and the UK Government to learn from the lessons of Britain’s departure.
Mr Barnier said: “It’s a warning, Brexit, and it’s a failure – a failure of the European Union.
“And we have to learn lessons from it as politicians here in the European Parliament, in Council, in the Commission, in all of the capitals.
“Why did 52 percent of the British vote against Europe?
“There are reasons for that – social anger and tension which existed in many regions in the UK but also in many regions of the EU.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.
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