UK Foreign Secretary Miliband confirms support for the Falklands — MercoPress

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met with Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly member Cheryl Roberts in London on October 1 and confirmed support for the right of the archipelago’s residents to determine their own future and develop their resources.

Meeting in London

The meeting took place at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Afterwards, Miliband wrote on X that London stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of the Falkland Islands and steadfastly supports their rights. The Legislative Assembly said the minister expressed unwavering support for the archipelago. MercoPress notes that the sides did not disclose the topics of the talks.

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Licences and dispute with Argentina

Roberts is responsible for trade, industry and mineral resources in the archipelago’s government. On September 21, she announced a five-year extension of offshore hydrocarbon extraction licences. This was Miliband’s first meeting with a member of the Legislative Assembly after Argentina announced arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom on September 28 over the Sea Lion oil project and demanded that its development be halted within two weeks. Argentina claims sovereignty over the archipelago and considers the licences issued by the local authorities invalid. In the 2013 referendum, 99.8% of participants voted to retain the status of a British Overseas Territory, with turnout at 92%.