Yesterday night, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), within the framework of its 46th period of regular sessions held in the city of Santo Domingo, adopted by acclamation a new Declaration on the Question of the Malvinas Islands, once again calling on the United Kingdom and the Argentine Republic to resume negotiations.
In her address before the plenary of the Assembly, Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra reaffirmed Argentina’s legitimate rights over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas and underscored that the Question of the Malvinas Islands is a State policy of importance to the Argentine Republic.
In addition, the Foreign Minister recalled that through the adoption of Resolution 2065 (XX), the General Assembly of the United Nations recognized the existence of a colonial situation in the Malvinas Islands and took note of the sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom, recommending that it be solved through negotiations between the Parties.
In this respect, Malcorra reaffirmed the Argentine Government’s willingness to engage in dialogue, reiterating the call on the United Kingdom to resume bilateral negotiations on the matter, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. She further noted that the current circumstances are favourable for such dialogue and called for the suspension of unilateral activities involving natural resources in the area under dispute, since these are against Resolution 31/49.
In the Declaration, the American States expressed their satisfaction at the reaffirmation of the Argentine Government's will to continue exploring all possible avenues to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, as well as at its constructive approach, which favours the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands. Likewise, they reaffirmed the need for the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations on the sovereignty dispute as soon as possible, with a view to finding a peaceful solution to this protracted conflict.
This declaration adds up to the traditional support offered by the region to Argentina’s legitimate rights in the sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom.
Press Release No. 186/16
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