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Falklands: MPs blast Spanish MEP for comments on the Islands sovereignty

Monday, May 13th 2013 - 04:45 UTC
Full article 111 comments
MP Rosindell: The EU is encroaching on foreign affairs in a way that I find absolutely outrageous” MP Rosindell: The EU is encroaching on foreign affairs in a way that I find absolutely outrageous”

A senior British member of Parliament blasted as ‘outrageous’ claims that the European Parliament does not recognize British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The case first surfaced when MercoPress reported that a Spanish member of the European parliament on a recent visit to Argentina said that “British sovereignty over the Islands as such is not accepted”.

“The EU is encroaching on foreign affairs in a way that I find absolutely outrageous” said MP Andrew Rosindell for Romford, Essex.

“The EU is again giving the impression that it has some influence and power over things which rightly are British government domain”, added MP Rosindell.

Last week a delegation of European lawmakers visited Argentina and met with peers from the Senate mainly to discuss how to advance stalled trade relations between the EU and Mercosur member countries.

Taking advantage of the circumstance Senator Daniel Filmus head to the Foreign Affairs Committee called on members of the EU delegation to press Britain to begin talks with Argentina about the disputed Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty

“To advance in the strengthening of the accords it would be beneficial if the EU would commit itself to help”, said Filmus who added Argentina wanted the UK to dialogue on the “Malvinas question”.

It was then that MEP Luis Yañez Barnuevo, from Spain and head of the delegation replied that for the European Parliament “British sovereignty over the Islands, as such is not accepted”.

This despite the fact that in early March the Falkland Islands held a referendum on their future and political status, and an overwhelming turnout and vote confirmed the Islanders wish to remain as a British Overseas Territory.

MP Rossindell said that this attitude from members of the European Parliament “is yet another reason why PM Cameron must bring forward the referendum (on remaining with the EU) so Britain can reassert its independence and prevent the diminishing or our own power and sovereignty over issues that should rightly be decided by the British people”.

MEP William Dartmouth from the Independent Party said “It is almost unbelievable that a politician from another country considers it appropriate to make unhelpful and hostile comments about Britain’s internal affairs. Spain still holds its own conclaves in Africa claimed by neighbouring Morocco.

“You can’t imagine a British politician going to Morocco and making similar comments”, insisted MEP Dartmouth.

A Falklands’ war veteran Major-General Julian Thompson was also involved in the debate and said MEPs have ‘no right to make such statements’.

“Some might ask what right Spain has to hold colonies in Africa for instance. The will of the Falkland Islanders has been clearly expressed and it should be respected”, said the Thompson is direct reference to the March referendum.
 

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  • Anglotino

    Luis, please expect an invite from the Argentine government to its next C24 roadshow.

    You can talk after Alexander Betts and that other one, the guy related to Vernet.

    May 13th, 2013 - 05:20 am 0
  • Boovis

    If this Spanish MEP doesn't agree with the situation, maybe he'd be bold enough to get the Lisbon Treaty re-written, if not then best he stay schtum.

    May 13th, 2013 - 05:25 am 0
  • toooldtodieyoung

    The corrupt, evil EU monster rears its ugly head again.

    Knowing how much they “care” about Britain’s internal affairs, does anyone REALLY see a future for the UK in this European cesspit?

    May 13th, 2013 - 06:30 am 0
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