MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands triggers strong reply from Cameron when Timerman brings up the issue at Celac/EU summit

”I reject the threatening words of the Argentine Foreign Minister,” underlined the British Prime Minister.

Foreign Minister Hector Timerman defended on Wednesday Argentina’s right to claim the Falkland/Malvinas Islands during the summit of the Community of Latin American States (CELAC) and the European body which is taking place in the Belgian city of Brussels. UK Prime Minister David Cameron responded by describing his comments as threatening, according to British sources.

 “The Argentine government expects countries from the European Union to support the United Nations resolution that urges Argentina and the UK to dialogue over the Malvinas Islands,” Timerman said during the conference that convenes heads of state, heads of government and representatives from 61 countries (28/EU and 33 Celac).

“Extracting natural resources that belong to the Argentine people is totally illegal” added Timerman, who insisted that “the peaceful solution of conflicts requires that we respect the territorial integrity of states”.

“182 years ago, the United Kingdom expelled Argentine population and authorities from the Malvinas islands, breaking the territorial integrity of my country,” he added.

Disappointingly “colonialism still persists, relying on the logic of appropriation of natural resources. In recent months the South Atlantic has witnessed hydrocarbons explorations in the proximity of the Malvinas Islands”.

“Currently a consortium of companies is going ahead with an exploratory drilling round in waters subject to a sovereignty conflict acknowledged by the United Nations and the International Community”, pointed out the Argentine minister.

PM Cameron, who had already spoken during the meeting, asked to be allowed to answer back. “As regards the Argentine Minister’s statements, I would like to reply, and I would like my words to be recorded in the minutes” he said.

“The Falklands have the right to self determination and the surrounding waters are under jurisdiction of the Falklands“, said Cameron.

”I reject the threatening words of the Argentine Foreign Minister,” underlined the British Prime Minister.

Timerman recalled that 10 June is for Argentina, Malvinas Islands Day of Sovereign Rights Reaffirmation, and an anniversary of “the creation of the first patriot government in the Malvinas” on that date in 1829.