MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands: Kirchner promises another year of “intense” diplomacy

“Argentina will not yield on its legitimate aspiration of recovering” the Malvinas Islands and as in 2006, in 2007 it will be one of the main issues of the country's foreign policy, promised Thursday President Nestor Kirchner addressing the National Assembly,.

In his speech before the joint session of the two Congressional Houses for the opening of the 125th legislature, Kirchner clearly reiterated his administration's willingness to dialogue with the United Kingdom over the disputed Islands sovereignty. The president described Argentina's diplomatic actions regarding the Malvinas issue in 2006 as "intense" and promised more of the same medicine in 2007. However he underlined that his government's decision to recover the exercise of sovereignty over the Islands is through "peaceful means". Kirchner recalled Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana efforts last January before the United Nations Secretary General calling for his good offices in achieving the resumption of dialogue with the United Kingdom over the sovereignty issue. "Diplomatic action was intense and actions reveal that our negotiating will was imbued of a great peaceful spirit", highlighted Kirchner. Earlier in the week the Argentine government rejected an invitation from London for a joint commemoration to honor the dead on both sides of the 1982 Falklands' conflict. Argentina replied that the invitation was in the framework of Britain's 25th anniversary victory celebrations.