MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands/Malvinas dispute: Malcorra calls for an “open dialogue” with UK

“The Argentine government reiterates once again its full readiness to open dialogue with the UK and to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries”

Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra called on the United Kingdom to engage in “open dialogue” on the Falklands/Malvinas islands sovereignty dispute in an open letter sent to the UK government, which President Mauricio Macri’s administration hopes can further improve relations between the former foes.

 While the letter reiterated Argentina’s “inalienable rights to sovereignty” over islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, including Falklands/Malvinas, which are currently under UK control, it also suggested that dialogue might open potential channels for mutual cooperation between the nations, as Malcorra bids for the position of United Nations secretary-general (UNSG).

“The Argentine government reiterates once again its full readiness to open dialogue with the United Kingdom, and to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries in order to identify possible areas of cooperation in the South Atlantic,” Malcorra wrote in the letter.

As in previous open letters concerning the sovereignty dispute such as that issued by the Foreign Ministry soon after Macri announced his cabinet late last year, Malcorra also reaffirmed Argentina’s position regarding Malvinas.

The letter stressed the “inalienable sovereign rights of Argentina over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich and the surrounding maritime areas, as these are integral parts of the national territory.”

It also offered the historical context of Argentina’s claim, in tandem with Friday's National Day of Reaffirmation of Argentina’s Rights over the Islands, which marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Civic Military Command of the Malvinas on June 10, 1829.

The letter described how, “On January 3, 1833, breaking the territorial integrity of Argentina, the United Kingdom illegally occupied the Islands, dislodging by using force the inhabitants and the Argentine authorities settled there, legitimately.”

Nonetheless, the Foreign Ministry expressed a more cordial approach that advocated finding mutual points of cooperation between Argentina and the UK, with a likely point of entry concerning the mineral resources in the South Atlantic.

As she continues as Foreign minister, Malcorra is also campaigning to replace South Korean UNSG Ban Ki-moon at the head of the international organization. Ban will step down at the end of this year after serving two consecutive five-year terms.

There are few formal rules for appointing the UNSG. According to Article 97 of the UN Charter, “(T)he Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.”

The so-called “P5” states — the United States, China, Russia, France and the UK — who hold permanent seats on the influential Security Council (UNSC) and each have the exclusive power of veto over resolutions and major decisions at the organization, can therefore play key roles in the appointment of the UNSG.

Macri and the Argentine government, who formally nominated Malcorra for the role in May, have stepped up their efforts to woo key member states and hope to highlight why they think the Foreign minister is the strongest candidate.

On Thursday, Macri held a conference call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledged to deepen cooperation in a number of areas including space exploration and science and technology exchange.