MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Malcorra downplays possibility of Falklands requesting visa for Argentine visitors
Malcorra underlined that the objective of the Argentine government is to create the necessary overall confidence building, but building on this “takes time”. Argentine foreign minister downplayed the news that the Falkland Islands could impose a visa system for Argentines visiting the Islands, although admitting the ministry is following the issue closely and insisted that confidence building with the local population takes time.
“Such a decision does not belong to the local government of the Malvinas Islands, but to the United Kingdom and I strongly doubt the UK is thinking on that. We're following the issue closely but I wouldn't give the matter a maximum concern”, Malcorra told reporters when asked on the Falklands Legislative Assembly discussion on the visas issue, which has emerged as a result of acts of misconduct attitude displayed by some small groups of visiting Argentines.
In effect the latest edition of Penguin News published that the concept of introducing visas for Argentine visitors is an ongoing consideration and MLA Mike Summers said he was attracted to the idea of introducing visas for visitors from Argentina.
This was in reply to a comment from a Falkland Islander who pointed out the increase in the number of Argentines visiting was leading to, “more Argentine flags and provocative clothing insignia,” being displayed and, “more detritus left around battle memorials,” and that this was causing concern and stress to local people.
However Malcorra underlined that the objective of the Argentine government is to create the necessary confidence building, including with the Falkland Islanders, but building on this “takes time”.
“We are intent in generating overall mutual confidence building measures, and this takes time. In fact we have not advanced much in these confidence measures, and we are will have to see how they evolve, if they effectively do and how this generates reciprocity”, said the Argentine official.
But Malcorra downplayed the issue, “I wouldn't look at it as extreme. I would yes follow it, that is my responsibility, but I wouldn't consider it that serious”.
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Read all commentsIncorrect, immigration policy is devolved to the Falkland Islands Government. When the agreement to allow Argentines into the Falklands was made, HMG had to persuade FIG to allow it.
May 03rd, 2017 - 08:49 am +12What “confidence building”? And as far as I can see, CFK having broken all the 90's agreements anyway, the FIG not only have the right, but the responsibility, to prevent undesirables landing in their territory.
May 03rd, 2017 - 08:01 am +10Think- I think you would find that if the FI Assembly voted for this- then it would happen- Umpteen UK Governments have said for years that the Islanders have the right to decide who and how their Govt works.
May 03rd, 2017 - 10:58 am +9Perhaps more relevant is that Argentina needs to do something to sort out the bad behaviour and unfriendly actions of some of those your taxes go towards the flights and costs of coming over here.
Tell me- if you go into your local shops in your local small town - cafes-etc and find big groups of people in there speaking in English- wearing clothes with Falklands flags printed on them and slogans saying the Falkland Islands are British etc etc- and painting British and Falklands flags on rocks in your parkland areas etc etc, waving big Falklands flags about in public areas- would you get a bit pissed off?
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