UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, Diana Mondino, met in New York today to discuss different issues relating to the South Atlantic.
The Parties agreed on the need to take concrete steps in the area of fisheries conservation and towards improved connectivity, including the resumption of the weekly flight between Sao Paulo and the Falklands.
A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said airline negotiations regarding the carrier are to be made by the Falkland Islands Government and it is planned the flight will stop once a month in Argentina.
It was also agreed to resume negotiations to complete the third phase of the Humanitarian Project Plan together with the International Committee of the Red Cross. This includes a trip to the (Falkland) Islands by next-of-kin of fallen soldiers before the end of this year.
The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly says it welcomes the cooperation agreement which makes no change in the individual positions of the Falklands Islands, UK Government, or Argentina in regard to the sovereignty, or territorial or maritime jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands – as per the formula on sovereignty in paragraph 2 of the Joint Statement of 19 October 1989 between the UK and Argentina.
MLA Jack Ford, Chair of the Legislative Assembly, said: “We have been involved throughout the negotiation on these important measures of cooperation. The resumption of the weekly São Paulo–Mount Pleasant flight will continue to strengthen our economy, tourism, and connectivity to South America and beyond. We look forward to being able to announce a timeline for the return of this connection, though this is subject to ongoing discussions with the airlines.”
The FCDO says both the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mondino welcome the steps being taken to establish an improved bilateral relationship and agreed to speak again when opportunity allowed.
