MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

British parliamentarians visit Argentina

A group of six British parliamentarians are currently visiting Argentina under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The delegation, that includes two members of the House of Lords, Liberal-Democrats Lords Dholakia and Roper and four members of the House of Commons, is headed by Labour MP Gordon Prentice. Also in the group are Geraldine Smith and Lindsay Hoyle of the governing Labour Party and Mark Lancaster of the opposition Conservative Party.

While in Argentina the visitors are to hold meetings with their Argentine counterparts with whom they will discussing a wide range of bilateral topics ranging from ways of improving the relations between both countries to farming subsidies. They will also be meeting Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez, as well as numerous political, diplomatic and business representatives.

The visit comes at a time when Argentine British relations are going through an all time low following the change of tone introduced by the government of President Nestor Kirchner characterized by a policy of linking all aspects of the bilateral relationship to the yet unresolved question of the Falkland-Malvinas Islands dispute.

While the visitors have emphasized their commitment of upholding a strong bilateral relationship based on peace and dialogue, some of their local counterparts have pointed out the need to address all outstanding matters, including the yet unresolved question of the disputed South Atlantic islands.

Consulted by MercoPress one senior Argentine Foreign Ministry said yesterday that while the government welcomed the visit and hoped that Parliament and Congress could make real progress working jointly on bilateral relations, it was unrealistic to expect any meaningful progress on the Malvinas front.

"Britain simply has no interest or intention of addressing the outstanding matter of subject of sovereignty dispute with Argentina" said the Argentine official.

In effect "while these parliamentarians are in Buenos Aires talking to us another group of MPs has just returned from the Falklands Islands after reassuring the Islanders of Britain's continued commitment to safeguarding the Islands".