The governor of the Falkland Islands has sought to allay concerns about the territory’s sovereignty following Britain’s deal to hand over the Chagos Islands.
Britain has agreed to transfer ownership of the tropical archipelago to Mauritius, after decades of often difficult negotiations.
In light of the move, Argentina has renewed its pledge to gain full sovereignty over the Falklands, with the foreign minister promising “concrete action” to ensure the islands are handed over to Buenos Aires.
But in an attempt to allay the fears of people on another strategically important island group, Falklands Governor Alison Blake said the legal and historical context of the two areas is “very different”.
The UK’s commitment to the sovereignty of the South Atlantic region is “unwavering” and “remains unwavering”, she said in a statement on social media.
In the message to the residentsshe said: ‘I would like to reassure you that the legal and historical contexts of the Chagos Archipelago and the Falkland Islands are very different.
“British ministers have been very clear throughout the process that Britain will not agree to anything that risks endangering sovereignty in other overseas territories.
“The British Government remains committed to defending the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination, and Britain’s unwavering commitment to defending British sovereignty remains undiminished.”
But Argentina’s Foreign Minister Diana Mondino welcomed the step taken by Sir Keir Starmer’s government on Thursday to end “outdated practices” after Britain announced its decision to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius to be transferred.
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“The Malvinas were, are and always will be Argentinians.”
The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands.
Argentina invaded in 1982 in an attempt to regain sovereignty, saying it had inherited the Falkland Islands from Spain in the 19th century.
A short but bitter 74-day war ensued – which left 655 Argentinians, 255 British and three Falklands dead – before British forces regained control on June 14, 1982.
Governor Blake’s announcement came after a deal in which Britain, after years of negotiations, transferred the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
This includes the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, used by the US government as a top secret military base for its warships and long-range bombers.
The treaty will also “address past abuses and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the well-being of Chagossians,” according to a joint statement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.
