UK (Parliament Politic Magazine) – The United Kingdom faced a challenging task on Wednesday as it sought to overturn a diplomatic setback concerning the Falkland Islands. The European Union (EU) had given its endorsement to a declaration supported by Argentina, which referred to the disputed territory as Islas Malvinas, the Argentine name.
In response, British diplomats approached Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, to seek clarification on the bloc’s stance. This move came after Buenos Aires celebrated a “diplomatic triumph” following a summit between EU leaders and their counterparts from Latin America and the Caribbean (Celac) on Tuesday, as confirmed by officials from both the EU and the UK.
UK Is Upset Over The Use Of Name Malvinas
However, despite the plea, it seemed as though their words had fallen on deaf ears. An EU official, speaking on behalf of the organization, expressed their inability to issue a statement on behalf of the 27 member states and the Celac countries who had previously agreed upon the matter.
“The UK’s exclusion from the EU has left them disgruntled, particularly due to their objection to the use of the term ‘Malvinas’,” the official explained. “Had they still been a part of the EU, they might have vehemently opposed this decision.”
Furthermore, the EU official acknowledged that the Argentine government had skillfully manipulated the situation to its advantage, stating, “The Argentines have artfully spun the narrative in a certain way.”
Forty-one years have passed since the Falklands War, and the United Kingdom finds itself facing a diplomatic setback concerning the archipelago. The European Union, seemingly endorsing the Argentine name for the disputed territory, Islas Malvinas, has dealt a blow to the UK.
During a summit of EU leaders with Latin America and the Caribbean (Celac) leaders on Tuesday, Brussels lent its support to an Argentina-backed declaration that referred to the disputed territory as Islas Malvinas.
The declaration itself addressed the contentious issue of sovereignty over the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands, with the European Union taking note of Celac’s historical position. This position emphasized the utmost importance of engaging in constructive dialogue and upholding international law as the foundation for achieving a peaceful resolution to such disputes.
The Decision Was Supported By 33 Celac Countries
The joint declaration, which received endorsement from 32 out of the 33 Celac countries, holds significant importance. However, Nicaragua chose not to support it due to concerns regarding the language used to address the war in Ukraine.
This declaration marks a significant milestone as it is the first time the European Union has officially acknowledged the Latin American stance on the islands. The Latin American position emphasizes the need for dialogue and respect for international law when discussing the future of the islands.
Santiago Cafiero, the Argentine foreign minister, expressed his optimism about the declaration’s impact. He stated that the Argentine government aims to enhance dialogue with the European Union regarding the Malvinas Islands. This joint declaration serves as a strong message from the international community, urging the United Kingdom to fulfill its obligation and resume sovereignty negotiations with Argentina.
By addressing the concerns raised by Nicaragua, the joint declaration has garnered widespread support from the Celac countries. This endorsement not only strengthens the Latin American position but also highlights the importance of diplomatic dialogue and adherence to international legal principles.
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Brussels To Exclude Falklands From the Declaration
According to officials from both London and Brussels, James Cleverly, the UK foreign secretary, had requested Brussels to exclude the Falklands from the declaration leading up to the summit.
A source close to Cleverly stated, “While the Argentine government may attempt to influence various parties, it does not alter the fact that the Falkland Islands are unequivocally British. This is the resolute desire of the Falkland Islanders themselves. A decade ago, an overwhelming 99.8 percent of the Falkland Islanders voted to remain an integral part of the UK family.”
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to honor their decision, and this dedication will persist without wavering.”
Peter Stano, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, stated that the EU member states have not altered their perspectives regarding the Falklands/Malvinas Islands.
He emphasized that the EU is currently unable to express any stance on the Falklands/Malvinas due to the absence of discussions or decisions within the council of member states. Furthermore, Stano clarified that the EU refrains from adopting positions on such matters without a council mandate.