Britain reiterated interest in strengthening relations with Argentina in areas of mutual interest, but also underlined London's position regarding the Falkland Islands remains unchanged, while from Stanley, the Falklands' elected government expressed its willingness to explore a potential cooperation with the Argentine government.
British PM David Cameron told Argentine president Mauricio Macri that the “Malvinas question will be included” as part of the bilateral talks with Argentina, according to Argentine foreign secretary Susana Malcorra. Apparently before Macri returned to Argentina Friday night from the nuclear security summit in Washington, he held a 'brief encounter' on request from PM Cameron.
At the formal opening of the 134th congressional term on Tuesday, Argentine president Mauricio Macri said on Tuesday that his administration is building mature and sensible relations with all countries of the world, and Mercosur is a priority, but dialoguing with world leaders, including British PM David Cameron “does not mean giving up our sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands”.
Foreign minister Susana Malcorra said that analyzing the different scenarios in the UK regarding the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty dispute, there is a horizon of possibility for Argentina to have a dialogue on the issue.
The Argentine government expressed its 'concern' to the UK over Defense minister Michael Fallon's visit to the Falkland Islands where he spent time with the military at MPA and met with Falklands elected government authorities and members of the community, according to media reports in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires daily La Nacion dedicated its main Friday editorial to the Falklands/Malvinas dispute, (A change in the policy towards Malvinas), underlining the new Argentine government's position promoting bilateral relations on all issues with the UK, but never forgetting the 'deep difference' over the Islands.
A former commander of the Argentine Army and Malvinas war veteran Martin Balza praised the recent meeting of President Mauricio Macri with UK Prime Minister David Cameron arguing that whatever is done to advance a serious, respectful, mature dialogue must be welcomed; there won't be immediate results from that dialogue, but this is like a marathon, what matters are the first steps.
The meeting of the Argentine president with the British prime minister in Davos was a good thing a symptom that we are back on the right political track, which has been applied before: to continue claiming sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, without having to spoil good relations, investments, trade, and with time and circumstances even consider joint undertakings.
Argentine President Mauricio Macri will fly this Tuesday to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the annual World Economic Forum, during which he has a full agenda of interviews and meetings with business moguls and political leaders, including Prime Minister David Cameron, US Vice president Joe Biden, Frech PM Manuel Valls and Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto. among others.
In a Christmas message to Falkland Islanders, UK Prime Minister David Cameron is hopeful that the election of a new Argentine president “will allow us to move towards a more mature relationship”.