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Europe's 'Most Dear Enemies' Locked in Dispute

Jamie Dettmer

   A French author once described the British as "our most dear enemies."

   Over the centuries, France and Britain have been key allies in 18 wars,
   but foes in 20 other conflicts. Rivalry and jealousy, and sometimes
   disdain, have never been far from the surface in Anglo-French
   relations, and the near neighbors are once again locked in acrimonious
   dispute -- this time over migrants, as well as Brexit.

   Frustrations are at boiling point between the next-door neighbors.

   French officials, and the country's coronavirus-hit travel industry,
   reacted last week with indignation at the abrupt British decision to
   remove France off the list of safe countries to visit, requiring
   Britons returning from France after Saturday to quarantine for 14 days.
   That triggered a stampede of British tourists already in France to exit
   rapidly in a mad-rush bid to avoid having to quarantine on their
   return. And to dealt another body-blow to France's bid to attract
   tourists.

   The French government has indicated that it will respond in kind, but
   has so far offered details of the reciprocal measures it is
   considering, although it appeared set Monday to announce quarantine
   requirements for people coming from Britain in a tit-for-tat move. The
   mayor of Calais described the British quarantine move an "aggression,"
   and officials in Paris fumed and are especially furious over the lack
   of pre-notification and absence of discussion.

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