Madrid, 22 – The government of President Javier Milei summoned on Tuesday, the 22nd, the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the country, David Cairns, in protest against the extension of licenses for offshore oil activities in the Falkland Islands, announced by the authorities of the archipelago administered by London.
The Argentine government thus transmitted to London its “vehement rejection of the recent announcement made by the illegitimate authorities of the Falkland Islands regarding the alleged extension of the ‘licenses’ for offshore hydrocarbon production.”
This is contained in a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its social networks, which includes its refusal of the “alleged approval for the acquisition of stakes by Navitas Petroleum Atlantic Limited in the ‘License PL001’.”
“The unilateral exploration and exploitation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources on the Argentine Continental Shelf are openly contrary to International Law and violate Argentina’s national sovereignty,” he stressed.
In particular, Buenos Aires emphasized its rejection of unilateral measures and that, therefore, they do not have “the express authorization of the competent authorities of the Argentine Republic,” which it considers “an illicit act” under both Argentine and international law.
“The Argentine Republic does not recognize competence or jurisdiction of any other authority than its own to establish the conditions that make possible the activities related to hydrocarbons on the Argentine Continental Shelf, both for the granting of concessions, shares, investment commitments, and for the granting of supposed licenses,” he stated.
The ministry, led by Pablo Quirno, also guaranteed that it will use “all the diplomatic, administrative, economic, judicial and legal tools at its disposal to defend its rights” and bring to justice those who plan to “exploit illegally (its) natural resources.”
The declaration comes after the Falkland Islands authorities announced a five-year extension for all existing licenses for offshore oil activities, with the possibility of extending them for another two years.
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