Rishi Sunak has criticised the EU for a “regrettable selection of phrases” after it appeared to endorse the Argentine identify for the Falkland Islands.
The prime minister’s official spokesman mentioned his view was that it will have been “fully unacceptable for the EU to query the Falkland Islanders’ proper to determine their very own future”.
A diplomatic row risked breaking out after the EU referred to the disputed territory as Islas Malvinas in a declaration that was agreed at a current summit.
The declaration – agreed on the European Union and the Group of Latin American and the Caribbean states (Celac) earlier this week – learn: “Concerning the query of sovereignty over the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands, the European Union took observe of Celac’s historic place based mostly on the significance of dialogue and respect for worldwide legislation within the peaceable answer of disputes.”
Mr Sunak’s spokesman mentioned the EU had now “clarified that their place on the Falklands has not modified”.
“To be clear, the Falkland Islands are British, that was the selection of the islanders themselves,” they mentioned.
“The EU has rightly now clarified that their place on the Falklands has not modified after their regrettable selection of phrases.
“And simply as a reminder, within the 2013 referendum, 99.8% of islanders voted to be a part of the UK household. It is a place supported by worldwide legislation and the UN Constitution which is binding on all UN members.
“And we are going to proceed to defend the Falklands’ proper to self-determination in all worldwide boards and have referred to as on the EU to respect the democratic rights of the Falkland Islands.”
He added: “The priority is any suggestion that EU states would recognise Argentina’s claims on the Falklands, which they’ve now clarified is wrong.”