The government has denied claims from Argentina’s president that the two countries are in talks about lifting an arms export ban that has been in place since the Falklands War.
A spokesman said there are “no specific talks” taking place, after Javier Milei told The Daily Telegraph negotiations with Britain were under way to lift weapons export restrictions.
The government’s policy since the Falklands War, more than 40 years ago, has been that weapons with British parts are not allowed to be exported to Argentina if they are judged to “enhance Argentine military capability.”
“There are no world powers without military power,” Mr Milei told the newspaper, adding, “There is no country that counts in the international context if they can’t defend their borders.”
He also said he wanted to see the Falklands handed to Argentina via diplomatic means after previously saying he would maintain the claim to sovereignty over the islands and would avoid conflict with the UK.
Royal Air Force Station Mount Pleasant on the Falklands. Pic: iStock
A government spokesman rebutted this, too, saying, “Sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is not up for negotiation, and we will defend its right to self-determination.
“In 2013, the islanders held a referendum on their future, with an overwhelming majority choosing to remain part of the UK.”
But he added: “More broadly, we look forward to deepening our co-operation with Argentina across areas including trade, science, and culture to deliver growth for the British people.”
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Mr Milei said he plans to come to Britain in April or May next year and would like to meet with Sir Keir Starmer and Reform’s Nigel Farage.
Argentina’s cost-cutting agenda has gone down well with Mr Farage and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and helped inspire the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk.
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Since the end of the conflict, there has been a UK military presence on the islands as a deterrent to Argentina not to exercise its continued claim over the Falklands.
A 2,000-strong garrison of troops and a squadron of fighter jets and transport aircraft based around the main airport at Mount Pleasant.
But Leona Roberts, a member of the Falkland Islands legislative assembly, said: “Argentina is always a bit of a shadow over our shoulder.”
