**EU Official: Fishing Quotas Shouldn't Stall UK Security Deal**

The European Union’s foreign policy chief has indicated that lingering disagreements over fishing quotas should not impede the progress of a critical security agreement with the UK. Kaja Kallas emphasized to BBC Newsnight that while some elements of the deal are still under negotiation, discussions have largely moved past the contentious fish issue.

As the UK and EU gear up for an important summit in London next week, hopes are high for announcing a new security and defence pact. Reports suggest that while some EU member states, notably France, might wish to leverage fishing access in broader negotiations, Kallas believes this won’t derail the security talks. “I think we are over the fish,” she said, maintaining optimism about concluding the deal soon.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his desire to "reset" post-Brexit relations with the EU, seeking closer ties in various domains, including defence and trade. Achieving a security pact could enhance the UK's involvement in EU-wide defence projects and grant access to loans for British defence firms. Still, the pending expiration of the current fishing arrangements in June next year presents a challenge. France, in particular, favors a long-term deal securing consistent EU access to British waters beyond 2026.

Although the fisheries sector's economic footprint is relatively minor, it holds significant political weight within both the UK and the EU. Additionally, the EU is pushing for a youth mobility scheme, facilitating short-term study and work opportunities for young people in both regions. Initially resistant, the UK’s stance has softened, with European relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds recently indicating openness to reasonable EU proposals.

Meanwhile, the UK's opposition parties, including the Conservatives, have expressed concerns about reintroducing aspects akin to EU freedom of movement through this youth deal. They are pressing the government to safeguard British fishing rights and avoid "dynamic alignment" with EU regulations, which would simplify cross-border checks on goods like food and plants. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel contends that Labour cannot be trusted with Brexit-related freedoms and accuses Keir Starmer of seeking to undermine the referendum outcome.

Amidst these negotiations, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has underscored the importance of resolving Gibraltar’s border issues as a precondition for a comprehensive EU-UK relationship. Since the UK's exit from the EU in 2020, discussions on Gibraltar’s status, a British Overseas Territory, have been ongoing without resolution, highlighting another complex layer in these multifaceted negotiations.