'EU won't accept own logic!' Gove blasts Brussels as it demands access to UK waters - Express

Michael Gove gave an update on trade negotiations on Monday as he explained the EU's stance has made some areas difficult as Brussels wants to have the same rights as before Brexit with the UK's fishing waters. The Cabinet minister warned EU negotiators aren't treating the UK like other independent countries despite having respected Britain's decision to leave. Mr Gove added the UK is working to have a free trade agreement with the EU much like, Norway or Iceland.

Speaking in the Committee meeting, Mr Gove said: "This is one area where I think that the EU's stance is particularly difficult and challenging.

"The EU quite rightly say to the UK, 'Look, you're leaving and we respect that. You cannot have the same rights if you do not have the same obligations, outside the EU as inside the EU' and we accept that.

"We accept that the nature of our economic relationship will change.

"We'll have a free trade agreement, won't be members of the single market.

READ MORE: Brexit POLL: Is Britain losing Brexit hunger during virus crisis?

"But, the EU don't appear to accept their own logic when it comes to fisheries.

"They want to continue to have more or less the same access, they particularly want to maintain what's called the relative stability mechanism, which governs access to our waters on the basis of out of date, historical patterns of fishing.

"Our view is when we leave, we'll be an independent coastal state like Norway or Iceland or the Faroes.

"And therefore, access to our waters should be negotiated on an annual basis in the way it is with those countries."

Michel Barnier, the bloc's chief negotiator, offered a scathing assessment of the "disappointing" round of talks that took place over video conferencing last week.

The lack of progress and the pandemic causing unprecedented disruption has led to heightened calls for an extension to the transition period past the end of the year to prevent further chaos.

But Mr Gove said: "Limited progress was made in the talks but we believe it's still entirely possible to conclude negotiations on the timetable that has been outlined.

"I think the COVID-19 crisis in some respects should concentrate the minds of EU negotiators in enforcing the vital importance of coming to a conclusion."

Mr Gove cautioned the Committee on the Future Relationship with the EU that "I'm not very good at predictions", but he said the odds of reaching a deal "were definitely better than two to one".

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay8xMjc0NjA5L21pY2hhZWwtZ292ZS1icmV4aXQtbmV3cy1FVS1sYXRlc3QtVUstZmlzaGluZy13YXRlci1maXNoZXJpZXPSAWtodHRwczovL3d3dy5leHByZXNzLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWsvMTI3NDYwOS9taWNoYWVsLWdvdmUtYnJleGl0LW5ld3MtRVUtbGF0ZXN0LVVLLWZpc2hpbmctd2F0ZXItZmlzaGVyaWVzL2FtcA?oc=5

2020-04-27 21:28:46Z
52780748683393