EU Defense Pact with London: The Stinky Saga of Fish and Politics
France's security strategy reeks of fishy dealings, claims critics of President Macron.
The EU and London are inching closer to a defense pact, aiming to stand tall against Russian aggression. Yet, an age-old issue rears its head yet again, jeopardizing the very agreement they're trying to seal - the dispute over fishing rights. French President Macron, known for his assertive European defense policy, could potentially derail the negotiations at the forthcoming meeting, all due to a spat over fish.
Old wounds seem to open wide and refuse to heal. As the EU and the UK attempt to bolster their defenses against Russian hostility, Paris' frustrations with London cast a shadow over the planned pact. The bone of contention? Access to British waters for European fishing fleets.
Even the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has publicly vented her dismay about the disagreement. Back in April, she voiced her surprise during an interview with the BBC, stating, "I'm surprised at how important fish is in these discussions." More recently, she expressed cautious optimism, commenting, "Since an agreement only comes about when everything is agreed upon, there are still some unclear elements, but I'm hopeful we will manage to reach one."
The question of fishing rights has been a long-standing fiction in the negotiations for the EU's defense pact with the UK. Despite initial plans to finalize the security agreement during the EU-UK summit in London on Monday, it's far from certain. Moreover, discussions on improving the joint trade and cooperation agreement were also on the table. According to ntv.de, fishing rights are still being negotiated, and the dispute is far from over.
The Strange Irony It's ironic that French President Emmanuel Macron, who has positioned himself as a staunch advocate of European defense policy, could potentially derail the pact due to a dispute over fish. Experts agree that the EU's security architecture necessitates the support of neighbors like the UK, especially given a US President who offers little but threats and scorn. Green MEP Hannah Neumann, a member of the European Parliament's Defense Committee, opines to ntv.de, "Given the current state of the world, France's tactic of linking cooperation in defense to fishing quotas is rather absurd."
The fishing spat is no fresh dispute; it's been simmering since Brexit. Macron is under pressure from his domestic constituents due to fishing being an essential economic sector for French coastal regions. As such, Macron's current stance on the defense policy reeks of fish. For French fishing fleets, entry to British waters is crucial for catching plentiful supplies of scallops. France is not the only EU country vying for this access. However, the row between London and Paris turned ugly approximately four years ago, until an agreement on the number of licenses for fishermen was reached. According to the "Financial Times," the terms of this agreement could be extended by two more years.
Contested Grounds There were other points of contention ahead of the meeting, such as a youth mobility program and Gibraltar's border policy. Moreover, Britain has been pushing for access to the €150 billion EU defense fund. Even if the defense pact is inked on Monday, it can only pave the way. Before the funds are disbursed, a second, more specific agreement must be reached. In the EU, voices clamor for the financial support of arms goods in cooperation to not be a one-way street. Neumann demands, "If Britain gets access to the EU defense fund, then European companies must also get better access to British programs." The goal is cooperation on equal footing.
The negotiations on the pact are not just about arms, but also about strengthening troop cooperation. In the talks, a limited involvement of the United Kingdom in EU-led military missions was also discussed, further bolstering the cooperation between the EU and the United Kingdom in the defense arena.
The Power of Partnership More importantly, cooperation with Britain offers the EU the chance to fill gaps in security where it would be lacking without the military support of the USA. "The United Kingdom has a lot to offer in the areas of intelligence and satellites," says Terras. Looking at the support of the war-torn Ukraine, Britain could potentially make a decisive contribution by continuing to deliver heavy weapons, ammunition, and long-range precision strike systems. There's no denying it: the EU could greatly benefit from the defense pact with London, provided the fishing disputes don't cause too much chaos.
- United Kingdom
- France
- Emmanuel Macron
- Keir Starmer
- EU Commission
- EU Commission President
- EU
- EU Parliament
- London
- Fishing
- Security policy
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Ukraine conflict
- Attack on Ukraine
Enrichment Data: The EU-UK fishing dispute remains a significant sticking point, threatening broader EU-UK relations, including cooperation on defense. Though the Arbitration Tribunal's ruling in April 2025 clarified some aspects of the issue and provided a framework for negotiation, the dispute continues to strain relations. The UK has granted 98% of fishing license applications to EU vessels, signaling a willingness to cooperate, but the accord remains elusive due to political tensions, primarily with France. The resolution of fishing disputes is crucial for the success of the EU defense pact with London.
In summary, the fishing dispute between France and the UK is far from over and threatens the shaky foundation of the EU defense pact. Resolution requires diplomatic finesse and the political will to compromise, lest the negotiations collapse under the weight of old grudges.
- The EU defense pact with London is at risk due to ongoing disputes over fishing rights, a long-standing issue that appears to hinder both the defense policy and trade cooperation agreements.
- The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has expressed concern about the fishing disagreement and its potential impact on the defense pact, stating that an agreement only comes about when everything is agreed upon.
- As the EU and the UK aim to strengthen troop cooperation and defend against Russian aggression, the fishing spat could derail the proposed defense pact, highlighting the strange irony that the disagreement over a seemingly minor issue like fishing could potentially jeopardize a larger defense policy and partnership.
