British authorities have sent two warships to the English Channel amid threats from Paris to block the island of Jersey due to differences over fishing zones.
A statement from the UK Defense Ministry said that HMS Severn and HMS Tamar were sent to the island “to monitor the situation”.
British media write that warships will arrive in the sector on Thursday.
The island of Jersey is located 85 miles off the coast of Great Britain.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson in a conversation with the head of the Jersey administration John Le Fondren said about the “unwavering support of the island.”
Johnson said there was an urgent need for a Jersey-France dialogue on fisheries zones.
France has previously accused Britain of imposing restrictions on fishing in the coastal areas of Jersey, which “runs counter to the terms of the Brexit agreement.”
Jersey is owned by the British Crown, but is not part of the United Kingdom. Protecting Jersey is London’s responsibility.
At the same time, Jersey has its own parliament – the State of Jersey. Jersey also owns several small islands. The population exceeds 100 thousand people.