The EU has backed down amid a major diplomatic row about the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
The trade bloc signed a declaration with Argentina, which referred to the Falklands in their Argentinian name, ‘Islas Malvinas’.
This afternoon the PM’s official spokesman has said Rishi Sunak believed it to be “entirely unacceptable for the EU to question the Falkland Islanders’ right to decide their own future”.
He said the EU has now “clarified that their position on the Falklands has not changed”.
“To be clear, the Falkland Islands are British, that was the choice of the islanders themselves.
“The EU has rightly now clarified that their position on the Falklands has not changed after their regrettable choice of words.”
“And just as a reminder, in the 2013 referendum, 99.8% of islanders voted to be part of the UK family. It’s a position supported by international law and the UN Charter which is binding on all UN members.
“And we will continue to defend the Falklands’ right to self-determination in all international forums and have called on the EU to respect the democratic rights of the Falkland Islands.”
He added: “The concern is any suggestion that EU states would recognise Argentina’s claims on the Falklands, which they have now clarified is incorrect.”
