MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OAS resolution fully supports Argentine claims.

The 34th general assembly of the Organization of American States, OAS approved this Tuesday by acclamation a resolution calling on Argentina and Great Britain to resume, “without delay” Falklands/Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich islands sovereignty negotiations, which were interrupted in 1982 when the armed conflict in the South Atlantic.

The resolution was presented by Brazilian Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim and received unanimous support from all delegations, particularly Mercosur member countries, which are present at the OAS annual general assembly this year being held in Quito, capital of Ecuador.

Argentina Foreign Affairs Minister Rafael Bielsa said he was most pleased with the continental organization unanimous resolution and insisted Argentina is willing to "fully" resume negotiations with Britain.

"My government is willing to work in this context with the United Kingdom and seek other provisional understandings under sovereignty terms in balanced and mutually beneficial terms", emphasized Mr. Bielsa.

Earlier when addressing the OAS general assembly Mr. Bielsa highlighted Argentina's desire to achieve "a fair, peaceful and long lasting" solution to its Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty claims.

"My country has clearly and repeatedly expressed its willingness to resume sovereignty negotiations, but they have not been re-established because of the United Kingdom's reluctance", insisted Mr. Bielsa.

Representatives from Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Mercosur associate members Chile, Bolivia and Peru coincided in the need for Argentina and Great Britain "to resume as soon as possible negotiations to find a solution" to the long standing Falklands sovereignty dispute.

Paraguay's Foreign Secretary Leila Rachid said that the "law fully supports Argentina's territorial restitution and we consider very important the resumption of dialogue", between parties.

Support for the resolution from Mercosur country members and associates is "evidence of a new opportunity to underscore the regional position for a quick solution to this old controversy", added Ms. Rachid.

Chilean Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear underlined her country's full support to Argentina in the Falklands/Malvinas dispute and hoped for a definitive and peaceful solution.

For years now OAS annual general assembly has unanimously approved a resolution calling on both sides to resume Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty negotiations.