Today, the OAS General Assembly being held in Cancun, Mexico, adopted by acclamation a new Declaration on the Question of the Malvinas Islands, which it considered a matter of enduring hemispheric concern.
The Declaration adopted "reaffirms the need for the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom to resume, as soon as possible, negotiations on the sovereignty dispute, in order to find a peaceful solution to this protracted controversy."
Furthermore, it expresses the satisfaction of the OAS at "the reaffirmation of the will of the Argentine Government to continue exploring all possible avenues towards a peaceful settlement of the dispute and its constructive approach towards the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands."
In his speech, the Argentine Foreign Minister, Jorge Faurie, reasserted the legitimate sovereignty claim over the Malvinas, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, and reaffirmed the Argentine Government's firm will to resume negotiations with the United Kingdom in order to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the dispute, respecting the way of life of the inhabitants of the Islands and in accordance with International Law principles.
Brazil's representative put to the consideration of the Assembly the Draft Declaration, which was unanimously supported by the Ministers and Delegates of Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as by the OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro. Finally, the Uruguayan Foreign Minister requested that the Declaration be approved, and the Assembly adopted it by acclamation.
This Declaration renews the Hemisphere's unanimous support for the Argentine Government's request to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.
Press release No. 251/17
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