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Johnson tells Fernández Falklanders and Ukrainians entitled to self determination

Monday, June 27th 2022 - 19:35 UTC
Full article 97 comments
Johnson and Fernández agreed to work on a number of issues of interest to both the UK and Argentina Johnson and Fernández agreed to work on a number of issues of interest to both the UK and Argentina

President Alberto Fernández Monday told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that more Britons were living in Argentina than in the Falkland Islands, but that did not change an iota the Conservative's leader stance that there was nothing to talk about in that regard because Falkland Islanders, like all people, have a right to self-determination, according to his post-meeting comments to the press quoted by Clarín.

Both leaders did agree, however, on the enduring value of the friendship between the British and Argentinian people and that finding ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries would benefit both the UK and Argentina.

The two heads of government also discussed the conflict in Ukraine. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the international community upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty by backing President Volodymyr Zelensky’s appeal for international support.

The Prime Minister explained to Fernández that the Ukrainians would not stop fighting. He added that they “were seeing their loved ones killed and were fighting for their lives,” according to a statement from 10 Downing Street.

Johnson insisted that the only solution was Ukraine's victory, while Fernández highlighted the need to build bridges of dialogue between the parties in order to exhaust all instances.

President Fernández raised the Falklands' issue. However, the Prime Minister was firm that their sovereignty is not in question. Johnson stressed that the Falkland Islanders, like all people, “have a right to self-determination,” according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Monday.

Finding common ground

Both leaders agreed on the enduring value of the friendship between the British and Argentinian people and that finding ways to strengthen the relationship between our countries would benefit both the UK and Argentina.

The Prime Minister and President Fernández agreed to work together on a number of issues of interest to both the UK and Argentina, including sustainable energy and helping to get grain out of Ukraine.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Munich, Germany. Although Argentina is not a member of the G7, it was one of the five guest countries at the two-day event.

Fernández's presence is also boosted by his holding the pro-tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

The G7 brings together the alleged most powerful economies in the world (United States, France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, and Canada). Neither China nor Russia are among the group members.

Top Comments

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  • Falklands-Free

    Everything we hear or see is political hype by all countries leaders. Each one jousting for a better position on the world stage.
    Meanwhile the innocent are getting the worst deal. Ukrainian people are being killed every day this war has been going on. Argentina has starved half it's people because they have syphoned most of the money away from where it truly is needed.
    Many other countries are repeating similar patterns.
    Is it not time in this world to stop squabbling among ourselves and start to rebuild the respect we all had for one another . Over population has been the root of tragedy throughout the world. Starvation has driven many over the edge.war has devastated peoples homes adding to the misery.countries just like Argentina trying to control the smaller countries using bullying tactics that are almost equivalent to actual war.
    Maybe the most sensible thing to do is find a deserted island and put all the power hungry leaders together on it and let them fight among themselves for awhile. Then maybe the world will become a better place for all humanity.
    Money is the root of all evil with religion a close seccond. It brings out the evil in people.
    That is why we see so many unhappy Argentines having a go at everyone. They are living in very hard times.
    To think how much happier they could all be if they were to remove that sovereignty chip from their shoulders. The south atlantic region would again shine I am sure of that.
    It is a proven fact that good trading relations does more for humanity than any war.
    Oh for the day man discovers alien worlds. That will be the wake up call humans need to stop all this human tragedy that surrounds us.

    Jun 28th, 2022 - 06:49 am +4
  • Falklands-Free

    Liberato.
    Couple of points that need correcting because they are not truths.
    First we are not a colony of Britain as you sugest. We are a British overseas territory that wishes to remain aligned with Britain.
    Argentina will in effect be colonising us against our wishes .would that mean Argentina would give the islanders their independence. I doubt it so it would be a colony stalemate by world standards.
    Seccond.
    We the people of the Falklands run our own economy independent from Britain. We have a British military garrison stationed here to ensure that Argentina can no longer threaten our life that we have chosen.
    We are not Britsins, we are for the world to know Falkland islanders of many generations.
    Third.
    You need to brush up on your outdated homework. We are not controlled by Britain when it comes to imigrants. In fact Britains have to apply for falkland status to live here or have sufficient work permits. We have a multicultural society from all over the world which also includes Argentine citizens many who came here after 1982 and made this place their home living as Falkland islanders.
    Fourth
    We have no input into what the British Government does in other places in the world just as they do not control what we do on our islands.
    As for investments we have many investors from many places around the world including Argentines who have come here and invested their money in a fishing company as one example.
    So before you try to twist the facts why dont you start useful dialogue with the islanders. You would not need to second guess us.
    As for the UN suggesting we are a colony, again you need to do the research. They accept that we are a British overseas territory by our own choosing.
    Stop being a looser and start learning just how succesfull we have become as a small country.
    We rose out of the ashes of 1982 because Britain supported and protected us to make those choices.
    We have one of if not the best fishing industries in the world.

    Jun 28th, 2022 - 06:51 pm +4
  • Roger Lorton

    What did Johnson say?

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-argentinian-president-fernandez-27-june-2022

    Jun 28th, 2022 - 12:30 am +3
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