There is "a real problem of trust" between Brussels and Westminster over how the British government is implementing Brexit: so says the EU’s Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders. This comes amid anger in France after the UK government this week gave out just a handful of post-Brexit fishing licences to French applicants. As France's seas minister accuses Westminster of going against its agreements with the EU, the Commissioner told FRANCE 24 the European Commission has had "many difficulties about the correct implementation of all the agreements: about fisheries, about Ireland" and is working with the French government to achieve "the correct implementation" of Brexit.
On relations with Washington, Didier Reynders also called for a rethink in light of the recently announced AUKUS military alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States: "We are partners, but we need to think about a real adult partnership with a real defence of our own interests, and real strategic autonomy in the major issues that we have on the table."
Turning to LGBT rights, in the week that three Polish municipalities voted to end their "LGBT-free zones" under financial pressure from the European Commission, the Commissioner told FRANCE 24: "The pressure was very useful because we have seen a way back from different municipalities and it's a good step in a good direction."
The European Commission is threatening to block up to €126 million of EU funding to Polish municipalities over these zones’ existence – a threat that Poland’s justice minister has described as "blackmail".
Hungary's government is also in the European Commission's sights over a recent law that bans the dissemination of content in schools deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change.
Asked about this, Reynders said: "We are discussing about different kinds of funds given to Hungary […] We will use again with Hungary all the tools at our disposal to fight against this kind of discrimination."
Meanwhile in France, the European Commission’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier recently said he wants to review France's freedom to manoeuvre regarding judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU, in relation to immigration.
In response, Reynders said he was "disappointed" at Barnier's remarks and that the solution is to change laws, not to challenge the sovereignty of the ECJ: "If there is a disagreement with the EU legislation, we need to try to change the legislation. And it's what the Commission is trying to do. I invite the French government to come and discuss with us about the migration pact."
Produced by Yi Song, Isabelle Romero, Perrine Desplats and Céline Schmitt
