Argentina's foreign minister criticises UK refusal to negotiate on Falklands
In short
Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno on the evening of October 5 criticised the UK government for refusing to negotiate over sovereignty of the Malvinas, which the UK calls the Falkland Islands. He reaffirmed Argentina's claim at an event marking the 48th anniversary of the Argentine Council on Foreign Relations, and Britain's ambassador to Argentina, David Cairns, left the venue after his remarks. Quirno also warned Chile against cooperating with the UK on the dispute.
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Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno on the evening of October 5 criticised the UK government for refusing to negotiate in the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, which the UK calls the Falkland Islands, according to reports citing CCTV News. He spoke at an event marking the 48th anniversary of the Argentine Council on Foreign Relations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Quirno reaffirmed the Argentine government's claim to the islands and criticised what he described as British unilateral actions that “harm Argentina's non-renewable resources”. Britain's ambassador to Argentina, David Cairns, left the venue after Quirno's remarks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
In the same speech Quirno warned the Chilean government against cooperating with the UK in the sovereignty dispute. He said Argentina respects other countries' fundamental interests and expects the same respect in return, and that their words and actions would determine the depth of bilateral relations. In late September, a plane belonging to a British company flew a flight between Punta Arenas in Chile and the islands without permission from the Argentine government. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The remarks come amid a hardening of Argentina's position on the islands, Jiemian reported. President Milei said in a national televised address on September 3 that sanctions on foreign companies extracting natural resources in the islands and surrounding disputed waters would be increased, and that proceedings had been opened against 60 foreign companies and individuals in total. On September 22 the foreign ministry sent a note to the British embassy protesting the extension, with UK support, of oil and gas extraction licences held by companies in the islands and disputed waters. [ 2 ]
Argentina and the UK dispute sovereignty over the islands. In April 1982 the two countries went to war over the territory, and the war ended in a British victory. Argentina has not given up its claim since its defeat, while the UK refuses to negotiate on sovereignty, Jiemian reported. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The remarks continue a period of hardened Argentine rhetoric on the islands, following sanctions proceedings against foreign companies operating in disputed waters and a diplomatic protest to the UK embassy. The public departure of the British ambassador signals the dispute is affecting day-to-day diplomatic contact, and the warning to Chile points to Argentina trying to narrow the UK's regional support.
Key facts
- Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno criticised the UK government on the evening of October 5 for refusing to negotiate in the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, called the Falkland Islands by the UK. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Quirno reaffirmed Argentina's claim to the islands at an event marking the 48th anniversary of the Argentine Council on Foreign Relations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He criticised British unilateral actions as damaging Argentina's non-renewable resources. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- British ambassador to Argentina David Cairns left the venue after Quirno's remarks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Quirno urged Chile not to cooperate with the UK in the sovereignty dispute, saying other countries' words and actions would determine the depth of bilateral relations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- In late September a plane belonging to a British company flew a flight between Punta Arenas in Chile and the islands without permission from the Argentine government. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Argentina's president, Milei, said in a national televised address on September 3 that sanctions on foreign companies extracting natural resources in the islands and surrounding disputed waters would be stepped up, with proceedings opened against 60 foreign companies and individuals in total, according to Jiemian. [ 2 ]
- Argentina's foreign ministry sent a note to the British embassy on September 22 protesting the extension, with UK support, of oil and gas extraction licences held by companies in the islands and disputed waters, Jiemian reported. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno criticised the UK government for refusing to negotiate over the Malvinas/Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Quirno reaffirmed Argentina's sovereignty claim and criticised British unilateral actions as harming Argentina's non-renewable resources. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- British ambassador to Argentina David Cairns left the venue after Quirno spoke. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Quirno warned Chile against cooperating with the UK on the dispute. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A plane belonging to a British company flew between Punta Arenas in Chile and the islands in late September without Argentine government permission. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact time of Quirno's speech. The documents say only that it took place on the evening of October 5.
- Whether the UK government has responded to Quirno's criticism. No British government response appears in the documents.
- Which British company operated the Punta Arenas–islands flight. The documents refer only to “a plane belonging to a British company” without naming it.