MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Mercosur condemns UK on Malvinas; promises to monitor shipping in support of oil activities
Several companies are currently involved in an exploratory drilling round in Falklands’ waters The Mercosur summit approved Thursday a declaration protesting “formally and energetically” UK’s decision to hold military exercises in the Malvinas islands and reiterated support for Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the South Atlantic Islands.
Member and associate Mercosur countries meeting at the fortieth summit of the group in the Brazilian location of Foz de Iguazú underlined the need for the dispute over the Islands and the adjoining maritime spaces “to reach as soon as possible a solution in conformity with United Nations, Organization of American States, Mercosur and Unasur resolutions”.
Mercosur countries also reiterate their commitment to inform the Argentine government on all vessels sailing to the Malvinas, Georgias and Sandwich del Sur Islands with cargo in support of ‘illegal hydrocarbons or mineral activities on the Argentine continental shelf’.
The document ratifies the declarations from Mercosur, Unasur and the Rio Group by which governments expressed their formal and energetic protest following the decision from the UK government to hold military exercises, including missile firing in the Malvinas Islands and surrounding waters.
British military exercises violate international agreements and are “incompatible with the policy to search for a peaceful solution to the controversy”. Finally the Mercosur members and associate reiterate “the legitimate rights of Argentina over the South Atlantic Islands”.
Argentina has made it official policy to lodge complaints, before all international fora on what it considers the illegal exploitation of hydrocarbons on the Malvinas continental shelf by companies that have been unilaterally authorized by London.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsSo other South American countries will “inform” Argentina about ships that are heading from their territory to the Islands, but do nothing to prevent their movements and provide port facilities etc.
Dec 17th, 2010 - 07:33 am 0That is a bit like rubbing Argentina's nose in it.
Hasn't anyone in Argentina heard of AIS?
Yet another little nail on Britain's diplomatic coffin on the South Atlantic......
Dec 17th, 2010 - 08:00 am 0“Argentina has made it official policy to lodge complaints, before all international fora on what it considers the illegal exploitation of hydrocarbons on the Malvinas continental shelf by companies that have been unilaterally authorized by London.”
Dec 17th, 2010 - 09:23 am 0But not the ICJ, the one body that can rule on the matter.
Licenses are authorised and issued in Stanley, Falklands capital and the seat of the Falkland Islands Government, I take it this is a spelling error or someone doesn't understand geography.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!