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Falklands: Brexit and Argentina's plan for closer links with the Islands

Friday, October 26th 2018 - 08:48 UTC
Full article 30 comments
Minister Jorge Faurie and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (Argentine Chancellery) Minister Jorge Faurie and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (Argentine Chancellery)

Brexit brings a chance to strengthen ties between Argentina and the Falkland Islands, the country's foreign minister Jorge Faurie said in London. Faurie met with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the pair discussed increasing trade and travel links between the Falkland Islands and South America.

According to the Daily Mail, mostly echoed by the London media, Faurie said: ”Our plan is to generate a greater link between the mainland and the insular part (Falklands)“, adding that ”those who live in the Islands feel that they can reach the continent to educate themselves, to take care of themselves in health issues and to do business“.

”The way we can have dialogue with those arriving from the Islands will only have a positive effect and faced with rationality. 'At this moment we are analyzing having a greater air connection, which facilitates the link between the continent and the islands“.

'This will only help to create trust and better knowledge of one and other”, underlined minister Faurie.

In effect Brexit brings uncertainty for the Falklands because EU member states will no longer be obliged to help protect Britain's claims over sovereignty.

This is because a treaty called the Duty of Sincere Cooperation - which includes a legal obligation for member states to assist each other over sovereignty - will no longer apply to Britain.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri's previous foreign minister pointed to this when she said last year: 'When Brexit takes place, the EU could evaluate a decision on how to proceed and how to stand on these issues – and there may be a change.'

However, Faurie's comments overall were conciliatory and emphasized cooperation between Britain and Argentina.

A statement released by Argentina's government said Mr Hunt and Mr Faurie agreed to “strengthen bilateral work to achieve greater co-operation between governments and the private sector.”

Some analysts say increased trade with Argentina and South America will be essential for the Falklands to survive after Brexit. This is because the Islands currently rely heavily on tariff-free access to the EU single market where it sells squid, meat, fish and other products, sales which generate 70% of GDP.

The foreign ministers' meeting at the British Foreign Office comes before Theresa May is due to meet Argentina's president at the G20 in Buenos Aires on November 30.

Top Comments

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  • Roger Lorton

    Rosa? Would you mean Rosas? And if so, what do you mean?

    Just before the Argentine invasion? There were talks about finding an accommodation. Many ideas were aired although sovereignty was never discussed and those talks did not produce anything. Nothing changed. Nor will it this time. There may be an announcement about flights once TM gets to the G20 but I doubt that it'll outlive Macri's government.

    The greater good? You believe selling a people out is for the UK's greater good? On that basis perhaps we should flog Scotland. That would reduce the whinge factor dramatically in what remained of the UK.

    My eyesight is not so good. Had it been I'd have seen the track of Carcass on the Carrington-Bowles chart when they surveyed Carlisle Sound. I'd have spotted where they anchored in Lafonia, and I've have noticed which mountain the bottle was on - on East Falkland. So you are right - my eyes could be better.

    Oct 27th, 2018 - 12:15 am +3
  • Roger Lorton

    Screwed? Surely you don't believe everything you read in the newspapers DT? Some Falklanders back Brexit.

    Oct 26th, 2018 - 10:32 pm +2
  • Roger Lorton

    If Europe wont take the Falklands' squid, then the Asians will. 7.5 billion people in this world. Food will cause the next world war.

    Voice - your eyesight is apparently not so good.

    Oct 26th, 2018 - 11:50 pm +2
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