MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

EU calls on Argentina to respect international trade commitments

Clancy’s statement follows a formal request from the UK on reports of a boycott to British products

The European Union has called on Argentina to respect international trade commitments, following on the announcement by the Minister of Industry to boycott the purchase of imports originating in the UK in an escalating row over the Falklands.

“We would like Argentina to explain and clarify what is happening and gives guarantees that it is going to completely respect its international commitments”, said John Clancy, Trade spokesperson for the European Commission.

The EU through its head of delegation in Buenos Aires has tried to ‘clarify’ press reports indicating that “the Argentine government has called for a boycott of products originating in the European Union, particularly the UK”.

Clancy added that the EC is looking for the opportunity to discuss the issue with the Argentine mission in Brussels.

Last 29 February the EC announced it would call Argentina’s chargé d’affaires for explanations over legitimated trade concerns brought up by the UK.

The EC announcement followed on the Foreign Office’s request to the EU for a reaction after the Argentine Minister of Industry reportedly had called 20 senior executives asking them to replace the goods they import from the UK with products from other countries.

The suggestion was made by Industry Minister Debora Giorgi through phone contacts with the chief executives and managers of those companies.

Furthermore, Ushuaia port authorities a couple of weeks ago turned back British or convenience flagged cruise vessels and sailing in from the Falklands, a situation which London described as “a matter of concern”