MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner calls on UK for resumption of sovereignty talks.

Addressing the United Nations Assembly, President Nestor Kirchner emphasized Argentina's fervent commitment to peace and called on Britain to resume sovereignty talks over the disputed Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich and the adjoining maritime spaces.

"We're fervent believers in the peaceful solution of international disputes, particularly in an issue so dear to our feelings and interests as the ongoing sovereignty dispute for the Malvinas islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich and adjoining maritime spaces", stressed President Kirchner.

Further on Mr. Kirchner said the United Nations have recognized that this is a colonial situation on the part of the United Kingdom, which must be resolved through bilateral negotiations between Argentina and Britain.

"We value the role played by the Decolonization Committee of the UN and we express our greatest negotiation willingness so that this long standing controversy comes to an end, a permanent objective of the Argentine Republic. We call on the United Kingdom to respond affirmatively to the resumption of bilateral negotiations to revolve this important matter".

President Kirchner also underlined Argentina "austral commitment" with the protection of the international community interests in Antarctica, and promised all necessary efforts to ensure the establishment of the Antarctic Treaty authorities and Secretariat in the agreed location of the city of Buenos Aires.

We are committed to ensure that all activities in Antarctica "are compatible with the Antarctic Treaty and the Madrid Protocol for the preservation of the environment".