Argentine President Alberto Fernández Friday thanked former Spanish Prime Ministers for their support to resuming dialogue with the United Kingdom over the Falklands / Malvinas issue.
Half a century ago, on 12 January 1972, a seaplane from the Argentine Air Force landed in Stanley harbor establishing the first regular flight between Comodoro Rivadavia and the Falkland Islands. From then onwards, ”sanitary, passenger and general cargo (mail, fresh food, and medicines) became regular flights”.
The Argentine foreign ministry reacted strongly to Defense Secretary Ben Wallace's statements published on Monday in the Daily Telegraph arguing that his belligerent threats and denigratory remarks towards Argentina are not compatible with the current level of diplomatic relations.
On Monday UK Defense secretary told the Falklands 40 Margaret Thatcher Day Lecture that Britain will continue to “stand up to bullies” wherever in the world they happen to be situated. He said: “Our enemies should not doubt Britain’s determination to stand up to bullies, to defend those who cannot defend themselves and for our values.”
A series of lectures, memorials, and other events will be held this week to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falkland Islands War. The aim is to commemorate the sacrifices made in 1982 and to celebrate the progress made in the Islands over the past 40 years.
A Catholic mass will soon be offered in Spanish at St Mary’s church in Falkland Islands' capital, Stanley in a bid to make services more accessible. The Falklands community is richly diverse, including a strong representation of South American nationalities.
The Falkland Islands Government and LATAM Airlines Group have denied that a date for the resumption of passenger flights to South America has been agreed upon. Recently international media reports had suggested LATAM Brazil had requested regular flights connecting Mount Pleasant airport and São Paulo to resume by the start of February.
Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Falkland Islands was £112 million in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2021, a decrease of 9.7% or £12 million from the four quarters to the end of Q2 2020. Figures are from the UK ONS, Office for National Statistics.
Falkland Islands Association - Britain did not expel an Argentine population in January 1833 when Britain re-asserted its sovereignty in the Falklands. But no piece of Argentine propaganda has been more successful than its falsehood that Britain expelled an “Argentine population”.
In 2022, the Falkland Islands will be marking the 40th anniversary of liberation with a year-long program of commemoration and celebration.