§ 32. Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards normalising relations between Argentina and the Falkland Islands. [99979]
§ Mr. BattleThe visit to Britain last autumn by President Menem of Argentina and the Visit of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to Argentina this March have helped to develop a new spirit of reconciliation and co-operation between our two countries. Later this week I shall accompany His Royal Highness The Duke of York to Buenos Aires for the inauguration of the new Argentine President De La Rua.
An important milestone in improving relations with Argentina was the Joint Statement that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Argentine Foreign Minister signed in July.
Air links between the Falklands and South America have been restored and safeguarded as a result, and now include a monthly flight to southern Argentina. Co-operation has been stepped up to conserve fish stocks in the South-West Atlantic. And the Falkland Islands Government now allow holders of Argentine passports to visit.
All these measures have the support of the Islanders' elected Councillors. Their role in this dialogue is instrumental. None of these measures affects our solid commitment to defend the Islanders' right to determine their own future. The sovereignty of the Falklands is not for negotiation.