Sunak accuses EU of 'deplorable choice of words' in Falklands dispute

Falkland Islanders celebrate the announcement of the results of the 2013 referendum to remain a British Overseas Territory

Rishi Sunak condemned the European Union's «deplorable choice of words» in Thursday, when the Falkland Islands government urged the bloc to respect its desire to be British after naming the territory the «Malvinas Islands».

The EU appeared to support Argentina's preferred name for the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic in a joint statement issued after a meeting with Latin American and Caribbean leaders.

The official statement, at the urging of the Argentine government, used both the «Malvinas» and the other to describe the territory. and the Falkland Islands.

Buenos Aires hailed it as a «historic diplomatic victory» after its politicians interpreted the wording as support for their disputed claim to the islands.

The prime minister's spokesman told reporters that it was «completely unacceptable for the EU to question the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future.»

The spokesman added: “To be clear, the Falkland Islands belong to Britain. It was the choice of the islanders themselves. The EU has now rightly clarified that their stance on the Falklands has not changed after their deplorable choice of words.

«Any suggestion that EU states recognize Argentine claims over the Falklands, which they have now clarified are incorrect, is troubling.»

The people of the Falkland Islands have repeatedly voted to reaffirm their status as a British Overseas Territory since Britain and Argentina waged a 10-week war over her in 1982.

The conflict ended with 255 British troops killed after Argentine troops invaded and occupied the island. 33 leaders of the Celac group in Latin America and the Caribbean.

«On the issue of sovereignty over the Malvinas/Falklands, the European Union has taken note of Celac's historic position based on the importance of dialogue and respect for international law in the peaceful resolution of disputes,» said the statement, which sparked complaints from the Foreign Office.

The Falkland Islands government on Thursday urged Brussels, which has always remained neutral in a longstanding dispute, to respect its desire to remain British.

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«We remain clear that discussions about our sovereignty are non-negotiable,» said Legislative Assembly Deputy Chairman Teslyn Barkman. «The people of the Falkland Islands have made clear their desire to remain a British Overseas Territory and our commitment to being part of the British family, living freely under the government of our choice.

«We call on EU Member States and others to respect our wishes and our right to self-determination, which is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations.»

The EU has since clarified that its position on The identity of the islands has not changed.