MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Close links with Latam and steadfast commitment to Falklands, announced Hague

The Foreign Secretary addressing London’s Lord Mayor Easter banquet

The UK is determined to strengthen relations with Latin America and equally committed to the Falkland Islands right to self-determination, said Foreign Secretary William Hague during a major foreign policy speech at banquet.

Hague delivered the message on Thursday evening to the entire foreign diplomatic corps of more than 100 ambassadors at the annual white tie dinner in the City of London.

In the speech, Mr Hague said “we are reversing Britain’s decline in Latin America, where we are opening a new Embassy in El Salvador”, plus several consulates in Canada, Brazil and other emerging and fast advancing economies.

“This determination to deepen our relations with Latin America is coupled with our steadfast commitment to the right of self determination of the people of the Falkland Islands”, he added.

The comments from Foreign Secretary are the first time he has addressed Argentina’s claim on the Falklands to Buenos Aries most senior representative in London.

Hague said Britain supported the Islanders’ self-determination and would seek to prevent Argentina from “raising the diplomatic temperature” on the issue ahead of the 30th anniversary of the South Atlantic conflict which officially started 2 April 2012.

“(The events) are not so much celebrations as commemorations. I think Argentina will also be holding commemorations of those who died in the conflict. Since both countries will be doing that I don't think there is anything provocative about that.”

Hague had also argued that the decision to send HMS Dauntless, to the South Atlantic was not provocative, but rather part of “entirely routine military movements”.

Argentina has claimed before all international forums where it had a chance to voice its concern, that the UK is involved in the “militarization” of the South Atlantic as part of its policy to retain the Falklands and other Islands in the region.