Britain is fighting for the EU to reverse a decision to refer to the Falkland Islands as “Islas Malvinas” after new declaration between Brussels and Argentina.
The move is being hailed as a “diplomatic triumph” in Buenos Aires and evidence of European support for their controversial claim to the islands.
The declaration was published on Tuesday following a two day meeting with the 27 EU member states and a bloc of 33 Latin American countries, called the Celac.
The political text referred to the British overseas territory in the South Atlantic, as both “Islas Malvinas”, Argentina’s preferred name, and the Falkland Islands.
The move is being hailed as a 'diplomatic triumph' and evidence of European support for their controversial claim to the islands over which the UK and Argentina fought in 1982
PA
The declaration was agreed at the European Union and the Community of Latin American and the Caribbean states (Celac) earlier this week.
It read: "Regarding the question of sovereignty over the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands, the European Union took note of Celac's historical position based on the importance of dialogue and respect for international law in the peaceful solution of disputes."
Britain's Foreign Office is said to oppose any reference to the Malvinas name at all.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly reportedly demanded that European Council president Charles Michel "clarify" the bloc of 33 Latin American countries' position.
According to negotiators for the South American group, the UK’s exit from the European Union three years ago has been a relevant factor as they could no longer need to consider the islands as an overseas territory of a member state.
EU chiefs say they are unable to revert the name back as it was signed off by all but one of the participating countries at the meeting - despite British complaints.
Sources from the Argentinian delegation in Brussels told the country’s national news agency: “It is the first time in a long time that the European Union talks about ‘Malvinas’ . . . That is not little, it is a lot.”
Santiago Cafiero, Argentina’s foreign minister said: “Off the back of this declaration the Argentine government hopes to further expand dialogue with the EU regarding the question of the Malvinas Islands.
"This joint declaration constitutes a further call from the international community for the UK to agree to meet its obligation to resume sovereignty negotiations with Argentina.”
British officials are said to have warned the EU that Argentina would try to exploit the summit to advance its claims on the islands.
A spokesman for the EU foreign policy service was forced to issue a clarification on the matter following Britain's complaints.
They said: “The EU member states have not changed their views and positions concerning the Falklands/Islas Malvinas.
According to negotiators for the South American group, the UK’s exit from the European Union three years ago has been a relevant factor as they could no longer need to consider the islands as an overseas territory of a member state
PA
“The EU is not in a situation to express any position on the Falklands/Islas Malvinas, as there is not any council discussion on this matter.”
However, Rishi Sunak has criticised the EU for a "regrettable choice of words" after it appeared to endorse the new name.
The Prime Minister's spokesman said the EU had now "clarified that their position on the Falklands has not changed".
"To be clear, the Falkland Islands are British, that was the choice of the islanders themselves," they said.
"The EU has rightly now clarified that their position on the Falklands has not changed after their regrettable choice of words.
"And just as a reminder, in the 2013 referendum, 99.8% of islanders voted to be part of the UK family. It's a position supported by international law and the UN Charter which is binding on all UN members.
"And we will continue to defend the Falklands' right to self-determination in all international forums and have called on the EU to respect the democratic rights of the Falkland Islands."