Britain’s European allies have sided with Argentina as Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron reaffirms the UK’s commitment to the Falkland Islands.
A new YouGov EuroTrack poll revealed a number of EU member states back Buenos Aires' claim to sovereignty over the islands off the coast of South America.
Tensions between Argentina and the UK continue more than 40-years after Margaret Thatcher sent troops down to the South Atlantic Ocean for a 10-week war.
A comfortable majority of Britons (57 per cent) believe that sovereignty over the Falklands belongs to the UK.
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron walks around Port Stanley on the Falkland Islands
PA
Only 16 per cent believe it should be transferred into Argentinian hands.
Northern European nations appeared to side with the UK, as around one-in-three respondents in Denmark and Sweden backed the British option.
However, a similar number of Germans and Italians agreed with the Argentine claim.
The proportion soars to 52 per cent among Spaniards as Madrid continues with its own dispute about Gibraltar.
A recent poll found that only 18 per cent of Britons would give Gibraltar back to Spain.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:- Falkland Islands will ALWAYS be defended by Britain vows Lord Cameron after Argentina demands UK hand over control
- Britain sends warning to Argentina over Falkland Islands - 'Not up for discussion'
- Falkland row ERUPTS: Argentina launches another attack on Britain - 'It's not a joke, it's a provocation!'
A Spanish fisherman holds a Spanish flag during a protest in the bay of Algeciras, near the Rock of Gibraltar
GETTY
But the latest survey comes after the European Union opted to refer to the territory by the Spanish name Las Malvinas, as well as the Falkland Islands.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a statement deploring the EU's “regrettable choice of words”.
Whereas, Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero welcomed the EU's willingness to “take note” of Buenos Aires' territorial claim.
Lord Cameron’s visit to the Falklands appears to have provoked an Argentinian Governor.
Wellwishers waving British flags as they bid farewell to troops sailing on QE2 as it departs for Falkland Islands
GETTY
Gustavo Melella said: “We will not stand for it. The presence of David Cameron on our Malvinas Islands constitutes a new British provocation and seeks to diminish our legitimate sovereignty claims over our territories and maintain colonialism in the 21st century.”
The comments came after the Foreign Secretary claimed the UK would “help protect and defend” the islands for as long as they want to remain British.
A referendum held in 2013 revealed more than 99 per cent of Falkland Islanders want to remain part of the UK.
Argentina claims sovereignty of the Falklands by suggesting it was territory inherited following independence in 1816.
However, the British claim dates back to 1690 when they made the first recorded landing on the islands.