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 Thursday. 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.