MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands air links and oil talks between UK and Argentina confirmed by Malcorra

Malcorra in a press conference confirmed that she discussed the issues of air links and oil with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London

Foreign minister Susana Malcorra confirmed on Wednesday that Argentina and the United Kingdom are holding talks, “moving to a more productive phase” which includes making progress towards new “air links between the Falkland Islands and third countries” plus the removal of “restrictive hydrocarbons measures”.

 The statement follows the publication by Buenos Aires daily Clarin of a letter sent by Prime Minister Theresa May to President Mauricio Macri on August 2nd.

“In reference to air links and hydrocarbons, this conversation was started when I visited London and met with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. It was then we talked about the possibility of these flights, we´re exploring ways to make it possible, but it has not been resolved. The UK also mentioned it was interested in the hydrocarbons issue”, revealed Ms Malcorra at the media conference.

The minister added that the Legal departments are involved in the issue and it is “an ongoing commitment”, to try and “reestablish dialogue at the highest level, as was mentioned by president Macri and the former prime minister David Cameron when they met earlier this year in Davos”.

“We continue to believe that the link between Argentina and the UK is most important for our insertion in the world. The difference over the Malvinas Islands is part of our constitution and a very dear issue for the Argentine people, and this we can't deny”.

Malcorra revealed that the ministries are trying to organize a meeting between Macri and May, “in the sidelines of G20”, scheduled to take place next September in Chengdu, China, and “we must recall that there has been an exchange of messages between the president and the prime minister” in reference to the letter published by Clarin.

The air links to Falklands, according to PM May's letter refer to “third countries in the region” and the “restrictive hydrocarbons measures” are the legacy of ex president Cristina Fernandez government abundant legislation.

Follows the text of the letter from 10 Downing Street sent to president Macri.

2 August 2016

Dear President Macri:

Thank for your recent letter to my predecessor, informing him that Argentina has nominated Ms Susana Malcorra to run for the position of UN Secretary General.

As I am sure you appreciate, the UK has a long standing policy of not revealing its voting intentions in UN Secretary General elections. I assure you, however, that we judge all candidates on their merits and we will carefully consider Ms Malcorra's bid.

I would like to take the opportunity to express my hope that we can continue to work together to move the relationship between the UK and Argentina into a more productive phase and I am pleased that the Foreign Secretary has already had the opportunity to speak to you about this. I welcome our growing cooperation on such areas as trade and investment, combating drugs, crime and corruption, and Argentina moving closer to the OECD. I was delighted to hear that the recent visit of the sail training ship “Libertad” to Liverpool was such a success, a clear sign of our strengthening ties.

It is my sincere hope that, where we have differences, these can be acknowledged in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and with the intention to act in a way that benefits all those concerned. This includes making progress towards new air links between the Falkland Islands and third countries in the region, and the removal of restrictive hydrocarbons measures.

I look forward to have the opportunity to meet you soon.

Yours sincerely Theresa May