An EU official has dismissed British calls for clarification after an official declaration by the EU and the Latin America group of nations known as Celac referred to the Falkland Islands as “Islas Malvinas”.
Following the EU-Celac Summit, the representatives signed a declaration which in one par read: “Regarding the question of sovereignty over the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands, the European Union took note of Celac’s historical position based on the importance of dialogue and respect for international law in the peaceful solution of disputes.”
The Argentinian government is celebrating the political document as a resounding “diplomatic victory,” interpreting it as a clear indication of European backing for their contested sovereignty over the islands.
These islands were the subject of a conflict between the UK and Argentina back in 1982.
The negotiators representing the South American group put forth the argument that the UK’s departure from the European Union three years ago played a crucial role in the use of the Argentinian name.
They argued that, following Brexit, the European Union could no longer regard the islands as an overseas territory of a member state, so should not refer to the islands as the Falklands.
Despite British complaints over the document, EU officials dismissed calls for it to be changed.
One EU official told the Financial Times: “This was agreed by 27 member states and the Celac countries.
“We cannot issue a statement on their behalf.
“The UK is not part of the EU. They are upset by the use of the word Malvinas. If they were in the EU perhaps they would have pushed back against it.”
The EU official added that “the Argentines have spun it in a certain way”.
