There is “no doubt” the Falkland Islands are British, Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson has mentioned, after Argentina’s new president vowed to “get them back”.
Javier Milei, who was elected in Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday, has mentioned Buenos Aires had “non-negotiable” sovereignty over the Falklands, often called Islas Malvinas by Argentines.
He mentioned his authorities would “make every effort” to take the islands again “through diplomatic channels”.
But the prime minister’s official spokesperson mentioned: “The UK has no doubt about the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.”
The Falkland Islands have been the topic of a bloody battle in 1982 after Argentine forces invaded and briefly occupied the territory.
The conflict claimed the lives of 255 British servicemen, three islanders and 649 Argentine personnel.
Mr Sunak’s spokesperson mentioned: “The UK government will continue to proactively defend the Falkland islanders’ right to self-determination.”
British ministers recurrently cite the outcomes of a 2013 referendum that noticed near 100% of voters on the islands, which has a inhabitants of about 3,500 folks, decide to stay a UK Overseas Territory.
The No 10 official mentioned Falklands rule was an “issue that was settled decisively some time ago”.
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Mr Milei had reportedly mentioned throughout a TV election debate: “What do I propose? Argentina’s sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands is non-negotiable. The Malvinas are Argentine.
“Now we have now to see how we’re going to get them again. It is evident that the conflict choice is just not an answer.
“We had a war – that we lost – and now we have to make every effort to recover the islands through diplomatic channels.”
In an interview with day by day newspaper La Nacion, Mr Milei proposed the UK hand over the Falklands to his South American nation in the same solution to how Hong Kong was given over to Chinese rule in 1997.
The populist politician, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who has been in comparison with former US president Donald Trump, conceded that the views of these dwelling on the islands “cannot be ignored”.
‘Undeniable’ Falkland Islands are British
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps mentioned it’s “non-negotiable and undeniable” the Falkland Islands are British.
He tweeted: “99.8% of islanders voted to remain British and we will always defend their right to self-determination and the UK’s sovereignty.”
Rejecting any negotiation on the way forward for the Falklands, Mr Shapps highlighted how Royal Navy ship HMS Forth had been despatched again to “protect the islands” within the southern hemisphere. It follows a nine-month stint by HMS Medway to patrol the distant location.
It comes after Mr Sunak criticised the EU for its “regrettable choice of words” in July after it appeared to have endorsed the identify Argentina prefers.
Source: information.sky.com”