France-UK relations ‘not been this bad since Waterloo’ as Brexit infuriates nations – Daily Express

Sylvie Bermann discussed the current relationship between the UK and France as Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron have not been seeing eye to eye on the same issues which both countries need to come together to handle. Links between the two European governments have become even more fraught over the past couple of months as the UK leaves the EU with Brexit there are ongoing protests and disagreements as both countries are in adispute overfishing licenses. The French and UK governments also cannot come to an agreement on the current migrant crisis in Calais, as migrants enter France to cross the Channel to enter the UK.

Both governments have failed to tackle the issue with each shifting the blame to one another when the topic is approached.

Speaking to Times Radio Lord Ricketts said: "I think we're down three or four out of 10 because I think this is the worst I've known it in 40 years as a diplomat."

"There have been bad moments in the past, the Iraq war where we were very badly divided on.

"But that was a question of judgement on a big issue rather than what we have now which I think is a collapse in confidence between the two capitals and perhaps particularly in Paris, although Sylvie can say that more than I can.

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"I think there's been a real loss of confidence in the seriousness of Boris Johnson's Government.

"So we are down in the depths and we have to depend on business links, cultural links, links between friends and families to keep things going until government links get better."

Ms Bermann added: "I'm afraid I agree with Peter. It's very bad.

"Jokingly I said, a few weeks ago that it has never been as bad since Waterloo so it shows how bad it is.

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"I think, it's linked to Brexit, obviously, because we have a government who is very pro European and also we want agreements and that's not necessarily the case."

Touching on one of the current disagreements between the two European powers Ms Bermann said: "And of course, lots of issues like fisheries and migration and the Northern Ireland protocol gave the opportunity for further crisis."

"But Peter as I said, there's a problem of trust. And it's very difficult to get out of that."

Last week Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed a faux par when he publicly shared a letter that he had sent to President Macron on how his government should deal with the current migrant crisis situation.

Macron was angered and cancelled Home Secretary Priti Patel's meeting which was supposed to be held in Calais on Sunday 28th November.

The meeting was supposed to bring both countries together to tackle the disagreements and join forces to tackle the problems for which both countries are blaming each other.

Responding to the cancellation Ms Patel said: "The UK cannot tackle this issue alone, and across Europe, we all need to step up, take responsibility, and work together in a time of crisis.

"We will not shy away from the challenge we face, and next week I will continue to push for greater co-operation with European partners because a failure to do so could result in even worse scenes in the freezing water during the coming winter months."

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France-UK relations 'not been this bad since Waterloo' as Brexit infuriates nations - Daily Express