MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguayan Ambassador Says Flangini Not Speaking for Government

Uruguay's top fisheries official has been denounced as a loose cannon in his country for challenging Australia's sovereignty of McDonald and Heard islands in the Southern Ocean.

Captain Yamandu Flangini's comments regarding the territories were not the view of the Uruguayan Government, the Uruguayan Ambassador to Australia has said.

Ambassador Mo Amaro said that Mr Flangini's comments were subject of a question time debate in the Uruguay parliament on Wednesday.

"What he (Flangini) says belongs to himself personally and not because he has instructions from government," Mr Amaro said.

"It's a pity Capt. Flangini talks on this matter."

Mr Amaro said Uruguay did not dispute Australian sovereignty, and was hoping to cooperate with Australia in anti-piracy measures in the future after high level talks with Australian Government officials.

By Peter Collins - Perth