- UK Prime Minister Intervenes Over EU’s “Malvinas” Reference
- Rishi Sunak Criticizes EU’s “Regrettable Choice of Words”
- Falkland Islands’ Right to Self-Determination Defended by UK Government
The prime minister intervened after the United Kingdom objected to a summit declaration that mentioned the “Malvinas Islands.”
After appearing to embrace the Argentine Falkland Islands moniker, Rishi Sunak called the EU’s statements “regrettable.
The prime minister’s spokesman termed the EU’s challenge to the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination “completely unacceptable”.
In a recent summit declaration, the EU referred to the disputed territory as Islas Malvinas. This risked sparking a diplomatic dispute.
This week, the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) reached an agreement on a declaration that stated, “Regarding the question of sovereignty over the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands, the European Union took note of Celac’s historical position based on the importance of dialogue and respect for international law in the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
The EU “clarified that their position on the Falkland Islands has not changed,” according to Mr. Sunak’s spokeswoman.
“To be clear, the Falkland Islands are British; this was their choice,” they stated.
“The EU has now clarified, to their credit, that their position on the Falkland Islands has not changed following their regrettable choice of words”.
And just as a reminder, 99.8 percent of islanders voted to join the British family in the 2013 referendum. It is a position backed by international law and the UN Charter that is obligatory for all UN members.
“And we will continue to defend the Falklands’ right to self-determination in all international forums. And we have called on the EU to respect the democratic rights of the Falkland Islands.”
He added, “The worry is that EU states would recognize Argentina’s claims on the Falkland Islands, which they have now clarified is false.
The Falkland Islands are claimed by both the United Kingdom and Argentina, which fought a war in 1982 that resulted in the fatalities of 255 British service members and 665 Argentines.
Last year, the 40th anniversary of the conflict was commemorated.
In the Lisbon Treaty of 2009, the EU maintained the Falkland Islands’ position as a British Overseas Territory.
Since 1982, the British government has refused Argentina’s request for discussions regarding the archipelago’s sovereignty.
Following the dispute, the EU foreign policy service issued a statement clarifying the bloc’s position, informing multiple newspapers: “EU member states have not changed their views and positions regarding the Falklands/Islas Malvinas.
“The EU is unable to take a position on the Falklands/Islas Malvinas because there is no council discussion on the subject.”
