UK Visit to Argentina Reflects "Improving Relations"

The UK and Argentina both said September 14 in a joint statement that a recent junior UK foreign office minister's visit to Argentina on September 12/13 reflects “improving relations” between the two countries.  

Alan Duncan met Argentina’s foreign minister Susana Malcorra to discuss ten aspects of bilateral relations, most significantly about the South Atlantic. In that context, the UK's text said “it was agreed to take the appropriate measures to remove all obstacles limiting the economic growth and sustainable development of the Falkland Islands, including in trade, fishing, shipping and hydrocarbons. Both parties emphasised the benefits of cooperation and positive engagement for all concerned.”

UK junior foreign office minister Alan Duncan (Photo credit: Jelony)

The joint statement issued by the UK Foreign Office, available too from the Argentinian ministry in Spanish, also said that both sides agreed that further air links between the Falklands and third countries would be established, including more stops in Argentina.

On September 15 UK-based Rockhopper Petroleum, which has licences in the North Falklands offshore and was the first firm to discover oil there, "noted" the joint statement but made no comment. In some of its blocks, Premier Oil is operator. European firms lately have become explorers in the area too.

Duncan said: "It's clear to me that Argentina is open for business. The measures agreed ...demonstrate we can make progress through dialogue."

In recent years, upstream contractors have been prevented from putting into Argentina if they had worked in the Falklands. Argentina's then military government declared war on the UK in 1982 and occupied the islands but was repulsed; the war cost over 900 lives.

Mark Smedley