Mercosur Group of Countries to Refuse Entry to Falkland Flagged Vessels to Ports

The Mercosur group of countries has reached a decision to refuse ships flying flags from the disputed, British-held Falkland Islands entry to ports.

The countries of a South American customs union comprise Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay with Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador as associate members.

The British Foreign Office Minister, Jeremy Browne, has condemned the news stating that the region should raise this issue as a matter of urgency and that the British Government will support the Falkland Islanders’ right to determine their own political future.

The islands have been under British control since 1833. Britain fought a two-month with Argentina over the territory it claims in 1982. The war casualties were considerable.

Argentina strengthened its claims of sovereignty over the Falklands, as well as South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, following the start of oil and gas exploration last year by London-listed oil-and-gas exploration companies Falkland Oil & Gas Ltd., Rockhopper Exploration PLC, and Desire Petroleum PLC.

As of February 2010, Argentina has been requiring ships sailing to or from the Falkland, South Georgia and South Sandwich islands to seek permission if they want to travel through Argentine waters.

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World Maritime News Staff, December 29, 2011; Image: Defence PK