MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sawle thanks UK for unconditional commitment to Falklands’ self-determination

Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant holds a bilateral meeting with Dick Sawle, Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly in London

The Falklands’ electorate vote for complete change, the UK’s unconditional commitment to the Islanders right to self-determination, economic diversification and development, Argentine next of kin humanitarian visits, were among the issues discussed Monday by Falklands Legislative Assembly member Dick Sawle and Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant.

“We discussed the recent election and MP Bryant made mention of the fact that there had been a vote for complete change” said MLA Sawle who added the Legislative Assembly had decided not to have an individual leader but that “we would appoint a spokesperson for each month and that all portfolios would have equal status”.

Sawle thanked the Minister for his letter following the election, in which he had reaffirmed the UK’s sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and the UK’s unconditional commitment to the Islanders right to self-determination which “it is important for us that these sentiments are expressed formally and on a regular basis”.

On the economy, Sawle briefed the Minister on the current deficit budget situation, and the Falklands’ healthy reserves situation, and on the current economic development strategy which will be the subject of much public debate in the New Year.

Specifically in terms of the provision of niche financial services, Sawle underlined that “we would request the support and assistance of the UK government with these plans, especially given that the provision of financial services to other overseas territories has caused many concerns. The Falklands wishes to get it right first time, and has in mind other markets than the off-shore services provided by some other overseas territories”.

Other economic issues included the possible provision of new port facilities and the benefits such a port would bring to the Falklands – especially the fishing sector.

Regarding Argentine next of kin visits, Sawle was keen to point out that humanitarian visits such as these should always be allowed to go ahead and that the last two such visits had been successful.

However, “it was a shame that Argentina would seemingly always be prepared to make political mileage out of what are solemn and humanitarian visits”.

Finally the Falklands delegation which included Sukey Cameron, the Falkland Islands Government Representative in London, briefly referred to the ever more stringent requirements the Falklands must constantly meet because of the Islands relationship with the UK and EU.

“Being a ‘small island” economy this can cause difficulties, not only because financial resources are restricted, but also human resources are often fully stretched”.

We briefly touched on the way in which the Falklands was constantly having to meet ever more stringent requirements due to our UK and EU relationship, and the difficulties this can cause with being such a ‘small island’ economy, where not only are financial resources restricted, but also human resources are often fully stretched”.

FCO Minister Bryant said it is important for the Falklands and Legislative to keep in touch regarding all current issues and underlined “he was happy to be consulted on issues at any time”.