Cod and herring are normally more likely to be on the dinner menu than the negotiating table at European security talks.

Yet, mackerel and missiles have become entangled in a tense diplomatic dance between London and Brussels that is causing friction ahead of a landmark EU-UK summit next month.

Both sides are hoping a defence and security pact will be the highlight of the May 19 meeting, as Donald Trump's return to the White House casts doubt over the US commitment to NATO and European protection.

The London summit is also meant to turn the page on years of post-Brexit rancour, as part of a "reset" in relations vowed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

But captained by France, some EU countries are pushing to link the opening of defence talks to successful negotiations in other areas, with fishing a major sticking point.

"A very large majority of member states are in favour of signing this partnership during the summit," said a diplomatic source. "France's position is more tied to its own issues".

The commission is due to update member states on the negotiations on Wednesday.

Fishing, one of the........

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