MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Hoon says British-Argentine relations in an

British Secretary of State for Defence Geoffrey Hoon described British - Argentine relations as being in an “excellent shape” and called for a spirit of reconciliation and commemoration to mark the 20th anniversary of the South Atlantic war between Britain and Argentina.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Defence Ministry and flanked by his Argentine counterpart Horacio Jaunarena and British Ambassador Sir Robin Christopher, Hoon said he was pleased to be back in Buenos Aires, his second visit as Defence Minister and as first Cabinet member to visit the country since the change of government earlier this year.

Hoon said he had held an excellent meeting with Jaunarena to discuss defence relations and would be meeting Foreign Minister Carlos Ruckauf later in the day. "I do want to emphasise how strong is the friendship between our two countries and how keen the UK is to help".

"I know that I have come to Argentina at a time of very great economic, political and social difficulties. As a longstanding friend, trading partner and investor the UK wants to see Argentina quickly back on the road to recovery. We are working closely with the international community and our partners in the Group of 7 and the European Union to help achieve that".

On defence matters Hoon explained that Jaunarena and he "agree that our bilateral relationship and our defence relationship - for which we have direct responsibility - is in excellent shape. We have a flourishing programme of military co-operation, we are working together on peacekeeping and we have joint co-operation on training. The best of all example of this is the way in which our forces work together in Cyprus and the Balkans".

Looking ahead at the forthcoming twentieth anniversary of "the tragic conflict of the South Atlantic that cost so many lives", Hoon indicated that he hoped "a spirit of reconciliation and commemoration would prevail."

"I am honoured to be able to lay a wreath at the memorial to the brave Argentines who died in that conflict and I am delighted that the Planning and Building on the islands - representing the collective view of the islanders - has approved the plan submitted by the Argentine Families Association for a permanent memorial at the Argentine Cemetery on the islands. This is a highly significant decision very much in keeping with the spirit of reconciliation which I described".

Asked by MercoPress if the subject of demining in the Falklands Islands - as was agreed i