The UK government has said it has agreed with the EU that the latter’s post-Nicola Sturgeon access to British waters will not be linked to trade. It disputed criticism from politicians including Scottish First Minister Brexit that it had linked fishing with a prospective trade deal in a draft political declaration. The UK will become an independent coastal state in the intended fisheries agreement—aimed to be established by 1 July 2020. The government reiterated that EU countries wanting access to its waters would negotiate a separate deal. It likened the plan to Norway's existing understanding with the EU.
The UK government has said it has agreed with the EU that the latter’s post-Brexit access to British waters will not be linked to trade. It disputed criticism from politicians including Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that it had linked fishing with a prospective trade deal in a draft political declaration. The UK will become an independent coastal state in the intended fisheries agreement—aimed to be established by 1 July 2020. The government reiterated that EU countries wanting access to its waters would negotiate a separate deal. It likened the plan to Norway's existing understanding with the EU.