MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina's Falklands' claim and rejection of oil activities reiterated at the 'new' Mercosur summit

This is the first regional document related to the Falkland Islands Argentine claim since Mauricio Macri took office last 10 December.

Mercosur full and associate members ended their Paraguay summit signing six joint statements, one of which in support of Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands and rejecting 'non authorized' hydrocarbons exploration in the Argentine continental shelf. This is the first regional document related to the Falkland Islands Argentine claim since Mauricio Macri took office last 10 December.

 The statement under the heading of “Special declaration on hydrocarbons' exploration in the Argentine continental shelf, in proximity of the Malvinas Islands”, begins rejecting the 'non authorized' exploration in the Argentine continental shelf undertaken by the UK, 'in violation of international law and Argentine domestic legislation'.

The statement recalls the standing mandate established by UN General Assembly resolution 31/49 which calls on both sides involved in the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and adjoining maritime spaces, to abstain from adopting decisions which entail unilateral modifications to the situation and do not contribute to reach a definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute, as exhorted by the international community.

Mercosur leaders reaffirm the Hydrocarbons continental shelf exploration communiqués approved on 23 February 2010 at the Latin America and Caribbean union summit, and the commitments adopted related to hydrocarbons activities and/or illegal mining in the Argentine continental shelf, including exchange of information, as well as impeding access to its ports, of 'vessels flying the illegal flag of the Malvinas Islands'.

Likewise Mercosur leaders ratify what was expressed by the Group of 77 plus China, OLADE and ALADI, referred to natural resources exploration, particularly hydrocarbons, undertaken by companies non authorized by the Argentine government in the Malvinas Islands zone and which are strongly harmful for Argentina's sovereignty rights over its continental shelf.

Finally the statement reiterates the strong support for Argentina's legitimate rights in the sovereignty dispute with the UK over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and adjoining maritime spaces, and ratifies the standing regional interest in that the UK agrees to resume negotiations with Argentina to find, the soonest possible, a peaceful and definitive solution to the dispute.