§ 31. Mr. BorrowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the new Argentine administration about the Falklands Islands. [112899]
§ Mr. BattleWe have established a good working relationship with the new Argentine Government. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has met President De la Rua twice. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has met Rodriguez Giavarini. I attended the Argentine Presidential inauguration and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has met the Argentine President and Defence Minister.
139WOn these and other occasions both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to the Joint Statement of July 1999 and to continue our dialogue on issues of common interest.
This does not affect our sovereignty of the Falkland Islands or our commitment to the Islanders' rights to determine their own future.