Chile’s defense minister backs trade between Punta Arenas and the Falklands — MercoPress
According to MercoPress, Chilean Defence Minister Fernando Barros Tocornal supported the development of commercial ties between the Magallanes region and the Falkland Islands. During a visit to Punta Arenas on September 24–25, he said that Chile’s support for Argentina’s sovereignty claims does not mean restrictions on trade with the archipelago.
In an interview with Radio Polar, the minister said that the Magallanes community has the right to trade and that he sees no obstacles to such activity within the law.
Position on sovereignty
Barros Tocornal reiterated that Chile supports Buenos Aires’ claims to sovereignty over the islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas. At the same time, he noted that the United Kingdom, which the minister described as a friendly country, has administered the archipelago for around 200 years.
According to him, support for Argentina’s position should be expressed in accordance with international law, through peaceful means and with respect for the will and interests of the people involved. Argentina, in turn, believes that the will of the archipelago’s residents is not decisive for resolving the dispute.
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On September 3, Presidents José Antonio Kast and Javier Milei signed a joint declaration in Santiago. In it, Chile reaffirmed its support for the sovereign rights claimed by Argentina over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the corresponding maritime areas.
Sea route to Stanley
The minister described oil and mineral exploration as the potentially most controversial issue, which, he said, would require a separate assessment. He also noted that Chile’s commitments in MERCOSUR and UNASUR are political rather than legally binding. In 2011, MERCOSUR member and associate states, including Chile, agreed on measures concerning vessels flying the archipelago’s flag.
The comments came amid progress on a sea route project between Punta Arenas and Stanley. The Falkland Islands Development Corporation signed a contract with the Chilean company Easter Island Naviera, and the first voyage, according to Chilean media, is scheduled for November.
Argentina has 60 administrative proceedings in which no sanctions were imposed, as well as three criminal complaints against ten companies and their executives over hydrocarbon exploration in waters near the archipelago. As the source notes, the claims in these cases have not been proven. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of participants, with turnout at 92%, supported retaining the status of a British Overseas Territory.
