MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Malcorra thanks OAS for continued support to Argentina on the Falklands/Malvinas dispute

Malcorra recalled that the lack of a solution to the situation for so many years, “has been an obstacle for the full development of bilateral relations”, between the two countries.

Foreign minister Susana Malcorra reiterated Argentina's call to OAS state members to continue supporting the resumption of negotiations on the Falklands/Malvinas question. A controversy which she said, “involves the whole southern hemisphere”.

 Speaking at the OAS 46th General Assembly in Santo Domingo, Malcorra said Argentina has reiterated its dialogue position with the UK on all issues relating to the Malvinas Islands, taking into account the interests of the Islands inhabitants and respecting their way of life.

Malcorra recalled that the lack of a solution to the situation for so many years, “has been an obstacle for the full development of bilateral relations”, between the two countries.

The minister underlined that since president Mauricio Macri took office in Argentina last December, “he has repeatedly expressed his willingness to inaugurate a new chapter in the relation with the UK”.

“Our countries have traditionally maintained rich and beneficial links in the most diverse fields of cooperation. We are convinced that this relation must be recovered” underlined Malcorra in the last day of debates at the OAS general assembly in Santo Domingo.

The diplomat who is bidding to succeed Ban Ki-moon as UN Secretary General, pointed out that Macri has met with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on two occasions, and she with her counterpart Foreign secretary Philip Hammond, hoping for “a wide agenda with the UK, that should enable us to discuss all issues and build understandings in the different areas in which we will find opportunities”.

“We want an open, frank dialogue so as to work in an intense manner on the solution of the longstanding dispute over the Malvinas Islands”.

Finally, “I believe it has become necessary we find a solution to the Malvinas sovereignty controversy”.