Britain calls for urgent talks with Uruguay over Malvinas ships

The British Government today was seeking urgent explanation, through their representatives in Montevideo, over the Uruguayan Government’s decision to disallow ships holding a Malvinas Islands flag to dock in the country’s ports, press representatives for the British Embassy in Uruguay today confirmed to BuenosAiresHerald.com.

The British Ambassador to Uruguay Patrick Mullee, today requested an urgent meeting with Uruguay Foreign Secretary, Luis Almagro for talks over the issue, the British Embassy in Uruguay confirmed.

Yesterday, Uruguay President José Mujica stated that ships flying the Malvinas Islands flag would not be able to dock in Uruguayan ports, but however, denied that the measure stretched to ships flying the British flag. The Uruguayan head of State commented on the issue after local media reported that Argentina had put pressure on Uruguay to disallow British ships from stopping through local ports.

Mujica made it clear yesterday that “the prohibition for Malvinas Islands’ ships is part of a political position adopted by his country since Argentina claims the islands and Uruguay supports that claim.”

Local newspaper, El Pais in Uruguay reported today that the Spanish Embassy in Uruguay was also closely following the issue, due to the fact many fishing boats owned by Spanish companies are using the Malvinas flag and with this measure put in place, it could drastically affect business.