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Foreign Office summons Argentinian ambassador over Falklands defence row Foreign Office summons Argentinian ambassador over Falklands defence row
(35 minutes later)
The Argentinian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office in a fresh diplomatic row about the Falkland Islands, officials have confirmed.The Argentinian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office in a fresh diplomatic row about the Falkland Islands, officials have confirmed.
Argentina’s president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and ambassador Alicia Castro last week launched new criticism of the British government’s plan to boost defences on the south Atlantic islands.Argentina’s president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and ambassador Alicia Castro last week launched new criticism of the British government’s plan to boost defences on the south Atlantic islands.
It has also been suggested that oil firms could be prosecuted if they start work in the waters around the islands without formal permission from Argentina.It has also been suggested that oil firms could be prosecuted if they start work in the waters around the islands without formal permission from Argentina.
A Foreign Office spokesman said the ambassador was summoned on Wednesday. “The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and surrounding maritime areas, nor about the Falkland Islanders’ right to decide their own future,” he said. A Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesman said the ambassador was summoned on Wednesday. “The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and surrounding maritime areas, nor about the Falkland Islanders’ right to decide their own future,” he said.
“We object strongly to recent statements by the Argentine president and the Argentine ambassador to London, and so summoned the ambassador to account for these.”“We object strongly to recent statements by the Argentine president and the Argentine ambassador to London, and so summoned the ambassador to account for these.”
Britain last week dismissed the threat of prosecution against oil and gas firms.Britain last week dismissed the threat of prosecution against oil and gas firms.
The comments came after three British firms – Premier Oil, Rockhopper Exploration and Falkland Oil & Gas – announced they had found oil and gas in a remote field north of the islands, which are claimed by Argentina.The comments came after three British firms – Premier Oil, Rockhopper Exploration and Falkland Oil & Gas – announced they had found oil and gas in a remote field north of the islands, which are claimed by Argentina.
Last month, defence secretary Michael Fallon said two Chinook helicopters and an upgraded surface-to-air missile system will be part of a new defence package for the Falkland Islands. Last month, the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said two Chinook helicopters and an upgraded surface-to-air missile system would be part of a new defence package for the Falkland Islands.
Ms Fernández de Kirchner’s latest comments came on 2 April, the 33rd anniversary of the start of the Falklands War. Fernández de Kirchner’s latest comments came on 2 April, the 33rd anniversary of the start of the Falklands War.
She reportedly said: “International law and dialogue, not militarisation, are the path to a reunion and sovereignty.She reportedly said: “International law and dialogue, not militarisation, are the path to a reunion and sovereignty.
“We will see the islands form part of our territory again. It’s not just wishful thinking.”“We will see the islands form part of our territory again. It’s not just wishful thinking.”