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Falkland Islands: Argentina

Volume 481: debated on Tuesday 28 October 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the state of relations between the Falkland Islands and Argentina. (227030)

The United Kingdom is responsible for the Falkland Islands' foreign relations. The UK values its relationship with Argentina as an important international partner. We have a close and productive relationship on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including human rights, sustainable development and counter-proliferation, and continue to look for practical ways to co-operate with Argentina on a range of South Atlantic issues. However, the Argentine sovereignty claim to the Falkland Islands and the Argentine refusal to recognise the democratically elected Falkland Islands Government, casts a shadow over our relationship. The principle of self-determination, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, underlies our position on the Falkland Islands.