MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands’s Government says oil drilling round will commence as planned next week

Gilbert House, seat of the Falklands’ elected Legislative Assembly

The Falkland Islands reaffirmed its right to develop a hydrocarbons industry and anticipated that in spite of disruptive measures from Argentina the oil drilling round will commence as planned early next week, “weather permitting”.

In a brief statement released on Thursday in response to the Argentine Decree 256 instructing ships travelling from Argentina to the Falkland Islands that they will require a permit, issued by the Argentine government, the Falklands’ Legislative Assembly says that “it is no surprise to anyone that they (Argentina) are behaving in this way but it is nonetheless disappointing when they do”.

The statement also emphasizes that the British government has clearly expressed support for the Falklands’ right to develop a hydrocarbons industry as any other legitimate business, and reaffirms British sovereignty over the Islands.

The message ends saying that if any implications from the new Argentine directive become “clearer” the Legislative Assembly will keep the local population informed.

Follows the complete text of the communiqué from Gilbert House:

“On February 16th 2010, Argentina issued a decree instructing that ships travelling from Argentina to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia or the South Sandwich islands will require a permit, issued by the Argentine authorities.

“This is a move by Argentina to try and disrupt the oil drilling due to start early next week. Currently, all the supplies the industry needs are located here in the Islands and drilling will commence as planned, weather permitting.

“The Falkland Islands Government has every right to develop a hydrocarbons industry within our waters. The British government has clearly stated that they support our right to develop legitimate business. The British Government have also reiterated their stance on our British sovereignty.

“It is no surprise to anyone that they are behaving in this way but it is nonetheless disappointing when they do.

“If any implications of this new directive from Argentina become clearer we will let you know”