A new agreement between Argentina and Britain regarding the Falkland Islands has sparked fresh tensions between the two nations.
The deal includes resuming a key weekly flight route between São Paulo and the Falklands, with a monthly stopover in Córdoba, announced after a meeting between Argentina’s Foreign Minister Diana Mondino and UK counterpart David Lammy in New York.
Both parties reportedly “welcomed the measures being adopted to achieve a better bilateral relationship and agreed to speak again at a future opportunity”.
Chair of the Legislative Assembly Jack Ford posted on X highlighting that resuming flights “will strengthen our economy, tourism, and connectivity”.
The flight, which has been suspended since 2020, is seen as vital for improving connectivity to the islands. However, Santiago Cafiero, Argentina’s former foreign minister, accused the government of “secret negotiations”, undermining their country’s long-standing claim to sovereignty over the islands.
He posted on X, saying: “Reincorporating flights and ‘economic development’ means turning our back on our claim.”
The new accord also includes plans for humanitarian trips, allowing families of Argentine soldiers who died in the 1982 Falklands War to visit their graves before the end of 2024.
The UK government has welcomed the move, with Kristy Hayes, British Ambassador to Argentina, calling the agreement “important and beneficial for the UK, Argentina, and the islanders”.
She added: “Over the past three years, I have had opportunities to talk to many veterans and relatives of fallen soldiers. We know how important it is for them to resume humanitarian visits to the Argentine Cemetery near Darwin and complete identification tasks.”
With both nations agreeing on the need for cooperation with respect to the conservation of fisheries, along with the resumption of flights, Argentina’s political opposition continues to express outrage, fearing these deals may bolster the UK’s economic influence in the region.
While both sides are committed to improving relations, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry was quick to reaffirm the country’s claim to the islands, emphasising that the sovereignty dispute remains unresolved.
Ms Hayes added: “Our position has not changed nor has Argentina’s. It will continue being a very sensitive area between us. But we also have many common interests, and this announcement shows that despite our differences, we can do positive things.”