The UK has warned the EU that Argentina will pounce on the Falkands, calling them the «Malvinas Islands».

The EU recently agreed to a statement referring to the Falkland Islands under their Spanish name, the Malvinas Islands. Photo: Peter Hazell/Getty Images Europe

The UK has repeatedly warned the European Union (EU) that Argentina will try to «distort» any statement it makes on the Falklands, but the bloc decided to make such a statement anyway, the government said.

The Foreign Minister said that both senior officials and ministers expressed concern to Brussels about any remarks about the islands in the summit's official communique.

However, the EU decided to move forward and agreed with the statement, which referred to the islands as the «Malvinas», the name used by Argentina.

Argentina called the statement a diplomatic victory, while the UK criticized the EU as it demanded block position clarification.

Last month, Politico reported that Foreign Secretary James Cleverly sent a text message to Josep Borrell, a senior EU diplomat, urging him to «keep the Falklands out of the summit communiqué» over fears that any mention would be «hyped by Argentina as support for their affairs.»

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the foreign secretary, now said the UK had expressed concern at both «high official and ministerial levels» ahead of the summit to warn of the risk that «any language in Falklands will be distorted by Argentina.»

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has revealed the extent of UK diplomacy prior to the EU communiqué. Photo: Gov.co.uk

Responding to a written parliamentary question, the expert said: and his member states that there can be no discussion of sovereignty unless the people of the Falkland Islanders want it.

«In a referendum in 2013, the islanders overwhelmingly decided to remain part of the British family.

< p>“Ahead of the EU-Selak [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] summit, the UK engaged with the EU at the level of senior officials and ministers to highlight the risks that any language in the Falklands would be misrepresented by Argentina as an EU language. taking a position on this issue.

“After the release of the summit communique, we again committed ourselves to express our disappointment with the language used and ask the EU to publicly clarify that their position has not changed and that they do not support the position of Argentina. Since then, they have done just that.”

The controversial EU statement came after a summit with Latin American and Caribbean leader group Celac in Brussels on 17-18 July.

The joint declaration read: “Regarding the question of sovereignty over the Malvinas/Falkland Islands, the European Union has note the historical position of Celac, based on the importance of dialogue and respect for international law in the peaceful resolution of disputes.”

The first name that Argentina has long considered correct for the islands, despite being a British Overseas Territory.

James Cleverley, Foreign Secretary, urged a senior EU diplomat to keep the Falkland Islands out of any publication. Photo: Leon Neal/PA Wire

Downing Street criticized the EU for its «deplorable choice of words.»

The EU sought to clarify its position by saying: «EU Member States have not changed their views and positions on Falklands/Malvinas.»

The spokesman said: «The EU is not in a position to take any position on the Falklands/Malvinas as there is no discussion in the council.»

These islands were captured by Argentina in 1982 and liberated by British troops in a short but brutal war. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands.