Independent European country importing fish (9)
I believe the answer is:
freelance
'independent' is the definition.
('freelance' can be a synonym of 'independent')
'european country importing fish' is the wordplay.
'european country' becomes 'france' (France is an example).
'importing' indicates putting letters inside.
'fish' becomes 'eel' (eel is a kind of fish**).
'france' going around 'eel' is 'FREELANCE'.
(Other definitions for freelance that I've seen before include "not regularly employed" , "without regular work?" , "Not tied to employer" , "Medieval mercenary" , "Writer or artist who sells services to different employers" .)