MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Spain says Falklands’ dispute is bilateral: EU should refrain from involvement
Madrid supports Argentine claims over the Falklands Spain has declared that the European Union should refrain from any type of involvement in the Falkland Islands dispute, according to the official news agency EFE. A spokesman for the Spanish Government, which currently holds the rotating six-month presidency of the EU, is quoted as saying that “this is not a European matter but a British one, a bilateral affair rather than a regional one.
Spanish diplomatic sources have stated that the conflict aggravated by the exploratory oil drilling round begun by British companies in Falklands’ waters, which has exacerbated Argentina, “should be solved through a process of dialogue between the two affected parties”.
Buenos Aires contends that Britain is seeking to exploit the natural resources of a territory Argentina believes rightfully belongs to them.
The Spanish Government says it understands that Buenos Aires should be recruiting support among South American countries in its sovereignty claim over the Islands, but considers that “the EU should not get involved as it is not a bi-regional matter”.
Madrid also notes that the EU does not take sides in other territorial disputes “like that of Gibraltar” between Spain and UK, or other territorial hotspots between South American countries.
Spain has always supported calls by South American diplomatic summits for Buenos Aires and London to renew negotiations on the political status of the islands according to United Nations resolutions.
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Read all commentsoops ... little by little no1 is standing by the UK.
Mar 02nd, 2010 - 09:01 pm 0Who is standing with Argentina? South American countries didn't bother signing any agreement at your little club last week. Your President sought help from a number of corrupt, drug money ran Governments. This is all she thinks her nation is worth, shameful. Nothing came out of the UN and Clinton was “not interested in getting involved”. Spain is gearing up to be the next Greece and the Islanders right to self-determination is protected in the Lisbon Treaty. We don't need any more support, as we have all the best peices left on the board. Argentina has played all its best moves and gained nothing. By the way, the oil rig is owned by an American company. This tells me all I need to know about where America really stands on this issue!
Mar 03rd, 2010 - 12:42 am 0The irony of Spain on this occasion is lost to no one!
Mar 03rd, 2010 - 12:56 am 0unless of course you inhabit the cardboard box of south America which insulates it from the reallities of the outside world!
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