EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has expressed surprise that fisheries rights are becoming a potential stumbling block in negotiations for a new UK-EU defense pact, as security concerns mount over the war in Ukraine.
Reports suggest some EU nations particularly France want to tie future access to British fishing waters to broader discussions on defense cooperation and trade relations. The current fishing arrangements under the post-Brexit deal are set to expire in June 2026.
Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister, said she was optimistic about reaching an agreement at next month’s planned EU-UK summit but noted: “I’m actually surprised at how important the fish are, considering the security situation.”
She emphasized the strategic importance of UK-EU defense collaboration, stating: “The UK is a very important defense and security partner the most logical one we have. This relationship benefits both sides.”
The proposed defense pact would allow the UK greater involvement in EU military research, joint procurement programs, and access to a €150 billion EU loan scheme for defense investments. However, Brussels is also reportedly pushing for a new youth mobility visa deal, which Labour has previously rejected.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is seeking to reset relations with the EU, but fishing rights remain a contentious issue. Kallas acknowledged the diplomatic weight of fisheries, remarking wryly: “Fish apparently are very important also when it comes to diplomatic relationships.”
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