§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the nature of his discussions with President Menem of Argentina with particular reference to the latter's statement that negotiations over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands will start within three years. [58418]
§ The Prime MinisterI met President Menem on 29 October. We had an extensive discussion of various issues including bilateral relations, the global financial crisis, Mercosur and the future of Europe. I welcomed President Menem's public renunciation of the use of force against the Falklands, and raised our concerns over the proposed Argentine oil and fish legislation. President Menem reiterated Argentina's view on the Falklands. In turn I made it clear that the United Kingdom does not regard the sovereignty of the Falklands as negotiable. As we have repeatedly said, there will be no change in the status of the Islands unless that is the wish of the Islanders themselves.