France, Britain to hold talks on fishing row on Thursday: newspaper

PARIS - France and Britain will hold an in-depth meeting here on Thursday to discuss their dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights, the French newspaper Le Figaro reported on Tuesday.

French presidential office Elysee announced on Monday evening that no retaliatory sanctions against Britain will come into force before Thursday when renewed talks will be held in Paris, the paper reported.

British Brexit Minister David Frost was quoted by the newspaper as saying that he accepted the meeting proposal made by French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune.

"I look forward to having discussions with him in Paris on Thursday," he said on his social media account.

Speaking to journalists in Glasgow, Scotland on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that discussions concerning the dispute over fishing will continue between France, Britain and the European Commission.

He ruled out the application of retaliatory sanctions, because "it is not while we are negotiating that we will impose sanctions."

Macron added that he trusted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would take France's proposal seriously and the discussions would lead to a result.

Last week, the French Ministry of the Sea announced that from Tuesday, British fishing vessels will be banned from docking in six designated French ports in Hauts-de-France, Normandy and Brittany. France will also strengthen sanitary, customs and safety controls of British ships.

Furthermore, France will enhance control over all lorries from and to Britain.