Today, the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), which is being held in the city of Medellín, Colombia, adopted by acclamation a new Declaration on the Question of the Malvinas Islands, stating that Argentina's claim is a matter of enduring hemispheric concern.
Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the Argentine Delegation, reaffirmed Argentina's legitimate sovereignty rights over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.
In addition, he underscored the fact that "the passing of time has not affected the validity of our claim" and that "the lack of progress towards the resolution of this sovereignty dispute, despite the permanent intention shown by all Argentine democratic governments to settle it through dialogue, is deeply concerning."
He further stated that "since President Macri took office in December 2015, a mature and honest relationship with the United Kingdom began, and work has been carried out in all fields of the bilateral relationship, including issues on the South Atlantic, under the sovereignty formula."
"We believe that building a framework of mutual trust will enable us, in the near future, to make progress towards the goal set by the international community of resuming negotiations on sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgia, and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas," he stated.
Before concluding its presentation, the Argentine delegation reaffirmed the "call on the Member States of the Organization of American States to continue supporting the resumption of negotiations between Argentina and the United Kingdom with a view to finally settling this protracted sovereignty dispute affecting our continent."
The Declaration adopted, originally submitted by Brazil, reaffirms "the need for the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom to resume, as soon as possible, negotiations on the sovereignty dispute, in order to find a peaceful solution to this protracted controversy."
The Declaration was adopted by acclamation, as requested by the Chilean Foreign Minister.
Press release No. 262/19
