MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Malvinas claim mentioned at 65th anniversary celebration of Anglo-Argentine Society in London

Ambassador Castro hosted the party which was attended by over 300 guests

Argentine ambassador in London Alicia Castro underlined the “very deep friendship and understanding links” that exist between Britain and Argentina and also reiterated the need for dialogue in the Malvinas Islands question. The occasion was the 65 anniversary of the Anglo-Argentine Society which was celebrated at the Argentine embassy in London.

“Argentina is the Latinamerican country which has the largest community of British descendents”, said Ambassador Castro addressing an estimated three hundred guests among which Viscount Malcolm Davidson, son the founder of the Anglo-Argentine society, and of which the Argentine ambassador in London is the honorary president.

The Anglo-Argentine society was founded in London, in 1948, having as its main objective the cultural interchange between Great Britain and Argentina and, at the same time, becoming instrumental in building strong social and creative ties between both communities.

Ambassador Castro said that Argentina has provided the British and its descendents “with friendship and respect during a long and rich history period and this community is perfectly integrated to our political, social, cultural and sports life”.

She mentioned among the many activities promoted by the embassy and which are evidence of the close relations the trip in November of a delegation of British MPs to Argentina and joint preparations for the 150th anniversary celebration of the Welsh community in Patagonia.

Ms Castro also mentioned the participation of many Argentine artists in British galleries and festivals and more specifically on the Malvinas question underlined the conferences held at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham, Manchester and London School of Economics.

“Argentina is a peaceful and democratic country which has a special interest in promoting human rights and therefore our ambitions and dreams refer to dialogue between the two countries”.

“There is no community, family or institution and of course no nation that can live without dialogue”, underlined Ambassador Castro.

The Anglo-Argentine Society chairman John Wilson said that the objective of the society was to promote cultural and creative links between both communities through trips, exhibits, conferences and the “Gran Asado” (Great Barbecue) which is organized annually and this year was attended by over 700 people.

Wilson ended his brief speech wishing in the name of the society, “the best and quickest recovery for President Cristina Fernandez” following surgery at the Favaloro Foundation hospital.

Among those attending the occasion were members of Parliament, journalists, scientists, two former Argentine teachers who worked in the Falklands in the seventies and former UK ambassador in Buenos Aires, William Mardsen.