MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Territorial integrity principle”.

The tenth edition of the Ibero-american summit held last week in Panama requested Great Britain to resume as soon as possible, the dialogue with Argentina concerning the disputed Falklands/Malvinas Islands sovereignty.

The text was annexed to the final declaration which among other things urges a quick solution to the dispute according to United Nations and the Organisations of American States, OAS, resolutions, including the "principle of territorial integrity". Although it has become routine Argentine diplomatic policy to push for the inclusion of the Malvinas clause in all regional and even international meetings declarations, President De la Rúa was particularly grateful to his fellow presidents and the King of Spain about the mention of "territorial integrity".

All Latinamerican presidents, including Mr. Cardoso from Brazil, Mr. Zedillo from Mexico and Mr. Fidel Castro from Cuba, as well as King Juan Carlos were present at the annual summit whose main agenda was centred on children and education.

However the summit also turned into a homage to Spain and King Juan Carlos since this month the King celebrates the 25th. anniversary of his reign following the death of General Franciso Franco in November 1975. Spain also managed a strong unanimous resolution, --with the exception of Cuba--, in support of the Madrid government and condemning ETA terrorism.