Falklands : Falkland Islands Government Happy for Direct Talks with Argentina on Flights and Fisheries
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 28.06.2012 (Article Archived on 12.07.2012)

With the UK talks in mind, on 23rd April the Argentine Ambassador wrote to the FCO offering discussions on air-links to the Falklands and fisheries co-operation. It was decided by the relevant Foreign and Commonwealth Office department that given these issues are the responsibility of the Falkland Islands Government the advice of the Falkland Islands Assembly would be sought.

Falkland Islands Government Happy for Direct Talks with Argentina on Flights and Fisheries

By J. Brock (FINN)

With the UK talks in mind, on 23^rd April the Argentine Ambassador wrote to the FCO offering discussions on air-links to the Falklands and fisheries co-operation.  It was decided by the relevant Foreign and Commonwealth Office department that given these issues are the responsibility of the Falkland Islands Government the advice of the Falkland Islands Assembly would be sought. 

The Falkland Islands Assembly responded to the FCO in a letter dated 6^th June, and this has been forwarded to the Argentine Government under a cover of a letter from the FCO dated 7^th June.  Both letters are attached.  As yet there is an acknowledgement of receipt but no response as yet.

In his letter to Her Excellency Alicia Castro, the Argentine Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr Colin Roberts, Director of the Overseas Territories Directorate, pointed out that the Falkland Islands Government are happy to talk to the Argentine Government about flights and fisheries but are concerned that Argentina’s offers come in the context of increasing hostility from her government towards the Falkland Islanders.

Regarding flights the Falkland Islands Government want to explore relevant issues as long as the Argentine government does not seek to block the weekly LAN flight and review its policy of banning charter flights from South America from over-flying Argentine airspace to the Islands.

As for fisheries, the 1999 Agreement with Argentina set up the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission (SAFC).  The Falkland Islands Government want to work with the Argentine Government with a view to improving the commission and resuming scientific co-operation to benefit the fish stocks of both countries.

The Falkland Islands Government do not wish resumed talks to be a platform for the discussion of sovereignty as the people of the Falklands do not want this.  The Hon Mrs Sharon Halford MLA said in her letter that she hoped the initiative by Argentina herald a more positive and constructive approach to the Falklands than has been recently experienced.

Mr Roberts concluded his letter by saying that the HMG would be happy to participate in the talks.

This article is the Property and Copyright of Falkland Islands News Network.