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Argentina’s claim to Falklands unchanged by Brexit: President

Tuesday, 05 July 2016 4:58 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 05 July 2016 5:02 AM ]

Argentinean President Mauricio Macri speaks to the press in Brussels on July 3, 2016. ©AFP

Argentina says it will stand firm on its claim of sovereignty over the disputed Malvinas Islands, known as the Falklands to the British, following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.

“Brexit or not, our claim will never change,” said Argentinean President Mauricio Macri, addressing reporters in Brussels after talks with EU leaders on Monday.

British citizens’ vote to leave the EU in a historic referendum on June 23 has cast doubts on the UK’s global position, including whether European countries would continue to support Britain’s sovereignty over the islands in the South Atlantic.

Following the vote, Spain also repeated its claim of sovereignty over Gibraltar, prompting the UK government to send a nuclear submarine to defend the territory, which has been at the center of a long-running dispute between the two sides.

Macri further expressed hope that the next British premier would start a dialogue on the territorial row, adding, however, that Buenos Aires was ready for cooperation with London on other issues.

“That is something long-lasting and we hope one day that we can discuss (the issue with Britain). It doesn’t mean that we cannot meanwhile have other cooperation with Britain,” he said.

Located about 300 miles off Argentina’s coast and home to about 3,000 inhabitants, the disputed islands have been declared part of the British Overseas Territories since Britain established its colonial rule on the territories in 1833.

Argentina and Britain fought a 74-day war over the islands in 1982, which ended with the British side claiming victory over Argentina.

Buenos Aires says Britain forcibly stripped Argentina of sovereignty over the islands and has been occupying the territory since then.

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