Thursday, January 31, 2013

UK requests meeting with Timerman, Malvinas assembly members

Britain has invited Argentina to sit down for talks over the Malvinas islands next week, upon Héctor Timerman's scheduled visit to London.

A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign Office said today that they are "aware that Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman is due in the UK next week, and have invited him to come to the Foreign Office to meet the Foreign Secretary and representatives of the UK Government and the Falkland Islands Government.”

Timerman's participation in the meeting has yet to be confirmed by the Argentine government, although Malvinas-based newspapers reported that the meeting was set and will take place during the minister's visit.

Two members of the Malvinas Islands Legislative Assembly are to meet with UK Foreign Affairs Minister William Hague in order to “exchange views” over the issues concerning the long-disputed territory.

The news was reported today by a Malvina’s Islands-based newspaper, citing a press release from the Legislative Assembly the Falkland Islands Government.

According to the communiqué, Argentina's Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman is to visit London next week, and has requested a meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Penguin News reported that Hague told the Argentine government he would be happy to meet Timerman and at that meeting he would want to raise the UK Government's serious concerns about Argentina's policy towards the Falkland Islands.