Argentina Commemorates Falkland Islands Occupation Anniversary, Reiterates Territorial Claim
Argentina marked the 193rd anniversary of the British occupation of the Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas, on January 3. The British Empire established a naval base on the South Atlantic archipelago in 1828, gaining control over the territory. Argentina continues to claim the windswept and rainy area.
On Friday, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry reiterated the country’s territorial demand on the occasion of the significant date. The ministry referred to the “illegal occupation” and cited the country’s constitution, which states that the recovery of sovereignty over the Malvinas is a “permanent and inalienable goal of the Argentine people.” The government of President Javier Milei also condemned the unilateral exploitation of the local natural resources by the UK and the British military presence in the South Atlantic.
In this context, Buenos Aires called on London to start a dialogue on the islands’ ownership.
“The Argentine government reiterates its willingness to engage in bilateral talks that would find a solution to the sovereignty dispute and end the colonial situation in the Malvinas matter, in line with the relevant UN General Assembly resolution” a statement said.
Argentina wants to maintain a constructive relationship with London and hopes for a substantial dialogue, it added. The only possible way to regain sovereignty over the Malvinas is through diplomacy, the statement emphasized.
In 1965, the UN General Assembly labeled the British claims on the Malvinas as colonialism and called for the territorial dispute between Argentina and the UK to be resolved through negotiations. However, in 1967, a military dictatorship took power in Argentina, which decided to reclaim the islands in 1982. The war lasted until June 20 of that year, claiming the lives of 649 Argentines and 255 Britons. The islands remained under British control.