Brexit betrayal fears as Macron’s new ‘laborious hyperlink’ might hit UK fishermen | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Beleaguered French President Macron is reported to have tried to ambush Sir Keir Starmer forward of a summit by demanding fishing rights in UK coastal waters in return for entry to defence contracts. The French chief, who solely barely clung onto energy in current months after disastrous nationwide elections, had seemingly develop into near the PM because the pair bonded over their shared help of Ukrainian chief President Volodymyr Zelensky.

However, Mr Macron seems to have launched an Eleventh-hour offensive on Downing Street earlier than the summit is because of kick off on Monday in London as a part of Labour’s much-vaunted ‘reset’ of relations with the European Union. Reports counsel a deal on British entry to a significant EU defence fund might be on the desk on Monday, however arguments over fishing rights and a youth mobility scheme might present obstacles to an settlement. The Telegraph experiences Mr Macron needs a “hard link” between the defence difficulty and French entry to UK waters.

Mr Macron’s place appeared to match that of Kaja Kallas, the EU’s excessive consultant for international affairs, who mentioned work was progressing on a defence deal, however added: “We’re not there yet.”

The Prime Minister insisted he was “positive” forward of Monday, whereas European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen mentioned she was “looking forward” to the assembly.

Sir Keir has repeatedly declined to provide a “running commentary” on the talks or have interaction in what he described as “megaphone diplomacy” with the EU. But he instructed reporters in Tirana on Thursday he was “confident” of constructing “really good progress into Monday”.

He was later seen chatting with Ms von der Leyen contained in the summit venue.

The PM can be mentioned to have talked to nations about “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers as a part of efforts to crack down on small boats crossing the Channel. It comes after the Prime Minister introduced the Government would start exploring the potential of sending failed asylum seekers for processing in third nations previous to deportation.

“I’ve had a number of discussions with all sorts of leaders here today, numerous discussions with numerous leaders, including discussions about return hubs,” Sir Keir instructed reporters on the European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Albania.

He mentioned such hubs weren’t “a silver bullet in and of themselves”, however can be “a very important additional tool in our armoury” mixed with different measures to deal with smuggling gangs.

There have been experiences that the UK may search agreements with nations within the Western Balkans. Albania’s prime minister has appeared to rule out being a number to the UK scheme, saying the nation was “loyal” to its association with Italy.

Sir Keir met North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Friday, however a Downing Street readout didn’t point out any dialogue of return hubs. The Prime Minister has pledged to crack down on smuggling gangs that convey individuals into the UK in small boats, together with by concentrating on legal networks abroad.

More than 12,000 individuals have already made the journey this yr, placing 2025 on the right track to be a document yr for crossings.