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The latest action comes after a telephone conversation between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and two senior Jersey Island officials, Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondre and Secretary of State Ian Gorst.
A release shared by Downing Street said Le Fondre and Gorst emphasized the urgent need for a de-escalation of tensions and for dialogue between Jersey and France on fishing access.
“The British head of state, for his part, underlined his unwavering support for the Jersey Islands. He said that any blockade would be completely unjustified,” the release read.
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“As a precaution, Britain will send two Patrol Boat Offshore to monitor the situation, “the statement continued as quoted from Newsweek, Thursday (6/5/2021).
The developments follow French protests that erupted over new and strict regulations imposed on fishing vessels from France last week as a result of Britain’s divorce from the EU. Paris accuses London of violating the terms of their agreement, and French fishermen have discussed the prospect of cutting the port of St. Heller Jersey.
French Maritime Minister Annick Girardin also proposed the possibility of cutting power to the island of Jersey, which receives up to 95% of its electricity via underwater cables from France.
The statement prompted the island’s main electricity supplier, Jersey Electricity Company, to issue a tweet on Wednesday to reassure residents.
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“Following inquiries from our customers regarding fishing disputes in France, JE can assure customers that if the electricity supply from France is interrupted, La Collette Power Station and Queens’ Road have the capacity to supply Jersey’s electricity needs,” the company wrote.
(ian)
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