Argentina Asks UK to Resume Negotiations Over Falklands Sovereignty

According to the Argentine Foreign Ministry, Argentina asked the UK for a resumption of negotiations regarding the sovereignty and management of the Falkland islands.

Argentina continues to claim the British-owned islands in the South Atlantic. This war, which cost hundreds of lives, was fought by the two countries in 1982.

Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero “formulated a proposal to restart negotiations for sovereignty over the Falklands Question” In a meeting with James Cleverly, his British counterpart, the Foreign Ministry stated March 2nd.

Cafiero stated that the Argentine government will end the 2016 agreement, which was pledged “to improve cooperation on South Atlantic issues of mutual interests.”

The Argentine government also invited Britain to join them “hold a meeting to settle” The United Nations debate.

The UK’s ministers expressed disappointment at Argentina’s decision to end the cooperation agreement and called for new talks about sovereignty.

Cleverly, British foreign minister, replied to this tweet: “The Falkland Islands are British. Islanders have the right to decide their own future—they have chosen to remain a self-governing UK Overseas Territory.”

David Rutley (Foreign Office Minister for the Americas), said that it was “a disappointing decision” after he had had a “constructive visit” to Buenos Aires.

“Argentina has chosen to step away from an agreement that has brought comfort to the families of those who died in the 1982 conflict,” He stated. “Argentina, the UK, and the Falklands all benefited from this agreement.”

Costly Conflict

Argentina claims sovereignty over the islands it names Las Malvinas.

Argentine forces invaded Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982. This triggered a war lasting 74 days.

Three days after the invasion began, a taskforce was sent from the UK. The force included nearly 26,000 military personnel and 3,000 civilians.

After intense fighting for several weeks, the Argentine troops surrendered to them on June 14, 1982. That date has been called Liberation Day in the Falkland Islands and is a national holiday.

649 Argentine soldiers were among the dead, along with 255 British personnel and three Falkland Islanders.

A 2013 referendum on the islands—with a turnout of over 90 percent—resulted in a 99.8 percent vote to remain British.

China backs Argentina

However, Argentina has been vocalizing its support for the Chinese Communist Party regime (CCP) on the sovereignty question.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez has promised to increase Argentina’s claim over the Falklands after he takes office in 2019.

Fernandez met Xi Jinping, Chinese leader, at the Beijing winter Olympics, February 2022. They signed an agreement in the framework of which China reaffirmed support for Argentina’s claim on the Falklands. Fernandez backed Xi’s one China policy, which claims Taiwan its own.

According to a statement published on London’s Chinese Embassy website Xi said that Argentina should have the right to vote. “fully exercise its sovereignty over the Malvinas (Falklands) Islands issue.”

Both leaders spoke of their “deep friendship” Argentina and China signed up for the Belt and Road initiative to build infrastructure in China, which is a state-backed campaign for global influence.

Liz Truss, Britain’s then-foreign secretary, replied to this tweet: “The Falklands are part of the British family and we will defend their right to self-determination. China must respect the Falklands’ sovereignty.”

‘Legacy of Colonialism’

The Chinese regime supports the Argentine claim at the United Nations through the use of the “decolonization” narrative.

Geng Shuang (China’s deputy permanent representation to the United Nations) said this in June 2021 “the question of the Malvinas Islands” It is “essentially a legacy of colonialism.”

He spoke of China “firmly supports Argentina’s sovereignty claim on the Malvinas Islands.”

“We hope Britain will actively respond to Argentina’s request, start dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible with a view to finding a peaceful, just, and lasting solution in accordance with relevant U.N. resolutions.”

Sun Qi is a Chinese international relations expert who revealed that Geng’s U.N. statement was intended to rebuke Britain for supporting human rights and freedom on the seas.

“The UK has recently been making military moves—including carrying U.S. fighters on its carriers and intervening over the South China Sea issue—and also making a fuss about Hong Kong,” He spoke to the South China Morning Post. “China is attempting to reverse the narrative to hit back at them.”

Sovereignty ‘Not in Question’

The British government has rejected Argentina’s claims to territorial rights numerous times.

Boris Johnson, Britain’s former prime minister, told Fernandez at the G7 summit in Germany June 2022 that the sovereignty over the Falkland Islands was under British control. “not in question.”

According to Downing Street Johnson was present when Fernandez raised concerns about Falklands. “firm that their sovereignty is not in question” And “stressed that the Falkland Islanders, like all people, have a right to self-determination.”

Johnson later gave his account of the conversation. “I made the point that we were spending a lot of our time talking about Ukraine, where the principle at stake was the right of sovereign, independent people to determine their future.

“This was the principle in question in the Falklands. It was decided in a decisive manner over many, many years. There is no reason why we should have a substantive discussion.”

He added: “I mentioned that it had been forty years ago that the UK had, at a great cost and the loss of many lives, vindicated the principle of Falkland Islanders having the right of determining their future under basic democratic principles. They also had the right of being British.

“That as far as I was concerned was the end of the matter.”

This report was created by Reuters Media and PA Media.