MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ibero-American summit calls for dialogue on Falklands/Malvinas Islands’ sovereignty

Paraguay’s President Fernando Lugo was the host of the meeting, which as usual included the King of Spain, Juan Carlos (L)

Nations from the Ibero-American bloc reaffirmed the need for the resumption of Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty negotiations and called on the UK to avoid carrying out “one-sided” actions, such as exploiting resources and military action.

“The Heads of State and governments of the Ibero-American countries reaffirm the need for the Argentine Government and that of Great Britain to resume as soon as possible, the negotiations to find a solution as soon as possible, to the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and adjoining maritime spaces” based on the principle of territorial integrity stated the resolution put together at the 21st summit of Ibero-American leaders that took place Friday/Saturday in Paraguay.

The Declaration recalls the UN and OAS statements in support of negotiations and underlines “the permanent willingness for dialogue showed by Argentina” and insisted that “unilateral actions referred to exploitation of resources do not help to reach to a definitive solution to the territorial dispute”.

Further on it points out to the military exercises undertaken by the UK “including the firing of missiles from the Malvinas Islands territory” is “incompatible with the constant policy of finding a peaceful solution to the territorial controversy”

The statement supported by the heads of state and government from all Ibero-Latin American nations underlines the succession of UN General Assembly resolutions which call on the Secretary General to proceed with his “good offices” contacts so that negotiations can resume to find as soon as possible a peaceful solution to the dispute.

The summit convened under the goal “Transformation of the State and Development” in its final declaration also made reference to the international financial crisis, social inclusion and social universal protection with the State playing a leading role in eradicating poverty.

A special mention was made to the need to put an end to the economic and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba.

The Ibero American summit brings together Spain, Portugal and Andorra and all Latin American nations. The Ibero Latin American Secretariat operates from Spain and its secretary general is Uruguay’s Enrique Iglesias.

This Asuncion meeting was not particularly successful since eleven heads of government and state did not show up, the Spanish leader is a lame duck since most probably his party will be ousted from office in the November 20 elections. For Paraguay it was particularly frustrating since none of the leaders of Mercosur full members (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay) attended.