Hague: 'To say Argentina will have Malvinas islands within 20 years is a fantasy'

British Foreign Secretary William Hague deemed Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman’s comments regarding the fact that the Malvinas islands will not likely continue under British rule for other 20 years “a fantasy.”

In an interview with tabloid The Sun, Hague insisted that the Malvinas islanders are “a community that is nearly 200 years old and and they seem very determined to remain British.”

"We shall never negotiate the sovereignty of the islands unless the islanders wish it."

The South Atlantic archipelago will hold a referendum in March to decide whether their 2800 inhabitants wish to remain under British rule.

“If there’s any chance they would change their minds, the approach by Argentina is completely counterproductive. It would be better to talk to the islanders rather than deny their existence or claim Argentina will have the islands within 20 years. These things are fantasy,” Hague added.

Earlier this week, Timerman, who is in London in an official visit, told British reporters that Argentina is likely to have the islands within 20 years.