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Britain's defense chief calls for better relationship with Argentina

Xinhua, February 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

Britain wants to build a better relationship with the new Argentinean government, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said in a statement issued Wednesday by the Ministry of Defense.

Fallon's comments came as he made the first visit by a British defense secretary to the Falklands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, in more than a decade.

Spending time with islanders and Ministry of Defense personnel in the island's capital Stanley, Fallon said there is a real opportunity to build positive relations between Britain, the islands and her South American neighbors.

In meetings with members of the islands government, Fallon said he was determined to build relationships that translate into new economic opportunities and greater prosperity, from natural resources, fisheries, scientific research and testing, and increased exports.

Fallon's visit was to discuss new opportunities for the islands and to pay his respects to those who fell in the 1982 conflict.

He witnessed first-hand some of the construction work taking place as part of a 258 million U.S. dollars, 10-year commitment to modernize the defensive infrastructure of the islands.

A Ministry of Defense spokesman in London said: "There are currently around 1,200 military and civilian personnel based in the Falklands supporting defensive air, naval and land assets including RAF Typhoon aircraft, helicopters, Royal Navy patrol vessels and an Army infantry company."

As well as meeting current military personnel, Fallon visited key locations from the 1982 conflict, including at Goose Green and San Carlos, and paid his respects to those who died on both the British and Argentinean sides.

Fallon said: "Now we want to build a better relationship with the new Argentinean government, as neighbors in the South Atlantic and fellow G20 members."

Sovereignty dispute over the islands dates back to around 1820, when Argentina took over the islands from Spain and stationed troops there. But in 1883 the islands were occupied by Britain which claimed them as a colony administered by a London-appointed governor.

In 1982, Buenos Aires tried to retake the islands by force, sparking a 74-day war only to find its forces expelled in the end, with the death of 649 Argentinean and 255 British soldiers, and three islanders.

Though Argentina and Britain resumed diplomatic relations in February 1990, dispute over the islands has continued. Endit