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French Minister of the Action and Public Accounts Géral Darmanin, during a session of questions to the government in the National Assembly in Paris on September 10, 2019. ERIC FEFERBERG / AFP

While the outcome of Brexit remains unknown, the French government remains skeptical about preparations on the British side. The Minister of Action and Public Accounts Gerald Darmanin said on Tuesday, September 10 said to " question ", especially for the fate of the heavily used British port of Dover.

" Are you asking me how our British friends got ready ? We do not know and we have some questions. We have received the Minister in charge of Brexit [Michael Gove, who came on August 30th in Calais, Ed] on French soil. We showed him what we can do and we are now interested to know what will happen, especially in Dover, "the most used port of arrival in the UK, said Minister Gerald Darmanin in response to a Member of Parliament .

Despite the difficulties of the British government , the Brexit remains until further notice scheduled for October 31 and France has begun preparations for several months . In particular with the aim of managing commercial exchanges and people in the crossings like Dunkerque, Calais and the Breton facade.

In total, 600 of the 700 customs officers announced are " recruited, trained and posted, " said Gerald Darmanin. As well as the giant car parks that were built and a " smart " border set up to try to avoid traffic jams at the borders. Because " four million trucks pass each year between Calais and the United Kingdom, " he insisted.

#Brexit and managing the French-English border: "How did our British friends get ready? We do not know and we have some questions ...", worries @ GDarmanin. # DirectAN pic.twitter.com/zrLYDttvxV

LCP (@LCP) September 10, 2019

Tests in real conditions

Tests in real conditions must be carried out in the coming days to check that everything is ready, including Thursday, September 12 in Caen, September 17 in Calais at the tunnel, and 24 on the ports of Calais and Dunkirk, said Bercy .

On Wednesday, at a meeting dedicated to Matignon, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe asked his ministers " the reinforcement of actions " in preparation for a Brexit without agreement, notably "in order to encourage economic operators and individuals to intensify their preparation .

The European Union has provided that in the event of a hard Brexit (without agreement), customs controls will be put in place immediately, as well as food safety inspections and verification of European standards at the borders with the United Kingdom. . For its part, London is working to open new routes via ports other than Dover.

(with AFP)