The European Union has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown after caving in to Argentina over the status of the Falkland Islands.
The EU referred to the British overseas territory as the ‘Islas Malvinas’ and said its sovereignty claims were ‘disputed’.
Officials launched the diplomatic bombardment after talks in Brussels with Latin American and Caribbean political leaders.
The shocking comments today prompted a sharp rebuke from Downing Street and from veterans of the 1982 Falklands conflict – which cost the lives of 255 British troops and 649 Argentines.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticizes EU for ‘deplorable choice of words’. His official spokesman told reporters: ‘It was completely unacceptable for the EU to question the Falkland Islanders’ right to decide their future.
The shocking comments prompted a sharp rebuke from Downing Street today and from veterans of the 1982 Falklands conflict.
Defendant: British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley
To be clear, the Falklands are British – it was the islanders’ own choice. The EU has now correctly clarified that its position on the Falklands has not changed.
‘We will continue to defend the Falklands’ right to self-determination in all international forums and call on the EU to respect the democratic rights of the Falkland Islands.’
A communique from Brussels offered support to Argentina’s desperate efforts to challenge UK sovereignty. This was revealed at the conclusion of the EU-CELAC Heads of State Conference earlier this week.
Not only did the EU-CELAC document refer to the islands as Islas Malvinas, it also revised the status of the Falkland Islands.
The controversial statement, which, predictably, was heralded as a victory for Argentina, called for a ‘peaceful resolution of the dispute’ surrounding the islands’ sovereignty.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said: ‘We ended the summit with great news. The European Union and CELAC adopted a resolution on the Malvinas question. Our claim to sovereignty through peaceful means and dialogue remains unwavering.’
But officials in Brussels today backtracked, issuing a clarification: ‘EU member states have not changed their views and positions on the Falklands/Islas Malvinas.
‘The EU is not in a position to express a position on the Falklands/Islas Malvinas, as there is no Council discussion on the matter.’
After Brexit, the Falkland Islands are no longer an overseas territory of an EU member state.
Conflict: Arrival of British troops in the Falkland Islands
As no UK diplomats were allowed to attend the conference, Britain could not formally block the proposal.
EU states also ignored a last-minute plea from UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverley to avoid the issue.
Former Defense Secretary Alec Shellbrook says the EU is ‘petty’ and ‘trying to upset the UK because we’re leaving them’.
‘If the EU wants to override Article 1 of the UN, which is that people have the right to self-determination… then they will again be playing into the hands of those who say they are not democratic organisations,’ he said.
The MP added: ‘It’s trivial… if it starts moving more and more towards a dictatorship rather than a democratic institution, which they say is a beacon. Their pettiness undermines their stated values. I think in the long run they will regret ignoring the UN mandate and the UN articles.’
Another former defense minister, Tory MP Marc Francois, said: ‘Argentinians will shout “Rejoice! Rejoice!” This is a major diplomatic mistake by the EU. Many of the EU countries are also our NATO allies, they clearly should not have done this and they should have reversed this disgraceful decision.’
Falklands veteran Rear Admiral Chris Parry, who flew helicopters in the conflict, described the EU’s move as ‘a spiteful, cheap way to nip the lion’s tail’.
Ten years ago, the population of the South Atlantic Islands voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the UK family. 99.8 percent of the 3,500 people who took part in the referendum said they wanted no change.
The status of the islands is also supported by the UN Charter. The EU’s 2009 Treaty of Lisbon also recognized the right of islanders to determine their future.
The EU-CELAC summit in Brussels brought together 60 leaders from the two continents. The Final Declaration included 40 provisions in areas of common interest.