The Falklands dispute has once again reared its ugly head in the run up to its 30th anniversary with the decision taken by the Mercosur group of countries to refuse Falkland flagged fishing vessels entry to ports.
The Mercosur countries include Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, who have just come together at a recent summit in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.
At the summit, Argentina’s president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, also accused others of taking fishing and oil resources. The Falklands flag is flown by 25 vessels - mainly fishing vessels, operated in joint ventures with spanish companies.
Last year, Argentina accused the UK of breaking international rules by allowing oil drilling under a seabed off the islands.
The Falkland Islands Assembly has said that the Mercosur decision to bar vessels from ports is the latest in a series by Argentina to damage the livelihoods of Falklanders and ultimately claim sovereignty over the islands.
The British Foreign Office Minister, Jeremy Browne, condemned the news: “I have instructed our Ambassadors in the region to raise this issue as a matter of urgency to clarify exactly whether or how Mercosur countries propose to implement this agreement. We will then consider our next steps in light of information we receive. But no one should be in any doubt about the British Government’s commitment to support the Falkland Islanders’ right to determine their own political future.”
