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A missing trade agreement could have severe consequences for the EU and Great Britain (symbol picture)
Photo: Jean-Francois Badias / dpa
France is preparing for a possible end to the Brexit transition phase without a trade pact.
"Even if France wants to avoid a lack of agreement, it is preparing for all scenarios in close coordination with its European partners and the European Commission," said Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday evening.
A lack of an agreement could have major implications - therefore all ministries concerned are currently working to find unified support for the sectors most affected.
"Negotiations on an agreement on the future relationship are also continuing," it said.
The European Union and Great Britain are currently trying to make progress towards a trade pact.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had set the EU a deadline of October 15 for an agreement - so by Thursday.
Then the EU heads of state and government meet at a summit in Brussels.
The EU assumes that negotiations can take two more weeks.
The agreement is intended to regulate economic relations after the Brexit transition phase, which ends on December 31.
If an agreement is not reached, this would also have severe consequences for France.
The French port city of Calais is the main gateway to the United Kingdom.
The English Channel between Dover and Calais, which is less than 40 kilometers wide, is a traffic junction with its ferries and the nearby Eurotunnel.
Without an agreement, customs controls would be necessary and the region would become a bottleneck.
French fishermen are also very concerned as they fish in British waters too.
For British citizens residing in France, a platform to apply for documents will be available from October 19, according to the French government.
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pgo / dpa