Argentina Urges UK to Halt Oil Production Near Falkland Islands

Buenos Aires (ANTARA) - Argentina has given the United Kingdom a two-week window to halt or prevent oil production activities around the Falkland Islands.

According to a statement from the Argentine Presidency, if this is not immediately addressed, Argentina will file a lawsuit with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

“Argentina has officially demanded that the UK take the necessary steps within two weeks to prevent the commencement or continuation of hydrocarbon resource exploitation activities on the Argentine continental shelf. If this demand is not met within the specified timeframe, Argentina will appeal to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to take the necessary measures to protect sovereign rights over the continental shelf,” stated the Argentine Presidency on Monday (28/9).

The Argentine government emphasised that it will not remain silent and will continue to defend its sovereign rights through various diplomatic, administrative, and legal instruments based on both national and international law.

The proposed plan suggests sanctions for parties exploiting natural resources illegally, provides incentives to cease such activities, and establishes instruments for Argentina to confront external threats.

The sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas by Argentina, has long-standing tensions between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The two nations fought a war for several weeks in 1982, which ended with an Argentine defeat and continued British control over the islands.

In March 2013, the Falkland Islands held a referendum in which 99.8 per cent of voters chose to remain a British overseas territory; however, Argentina does not recognise the results of that referendum.