JOINT STATEMENT OF 19 OCTOBER 1989
Re-establishing Consular Relations Between Britain and Argentina, and Agreeing a Framework on Sovereignty Which Would Allow Further Talks

TEXT - Territorial Sea - UK Statement 

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH AND ARGENTINE DELEGATIONS

MADRID – 19 OCTOBER 1989

1.      Delegations of the British and Argentine Governments met in Madrid from 17-19 October 1989.  The British delegation was led by Sir Crispin Tickell, United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and the Argentine delegation by Ambassador Lucio Garcia del Solar, Special Representative of the Government of Argentina.  The purpose of their meeting was to discuss the topics agreed at their first meeting in New York in August: viz

(i)                  Introductory statements

(ii)                Formula on sovereignty

(iii)               Organisation of work

(iv)              British/Argentine relations (including the future of diplomatic and consular relations):

(a)    Measures to build confidence and avoid incidents in the military sphere

(b)   Trade and financial relations

(c)    Communications links: air and sea

(d)   Fishery conservation and future co-operation on fisheries

(e)    Contacts between the Falkland Islands and the continental mainland

(f)     Cultural, scientific and sporting relations

(g)    Other bilateral matters

2.      Both Governments agreed that:

(1)   Nothing in the conduct of content of the present meeting or of any similar subsequent meetings shall be interpreted as:

(a)    A change in the position of the United Kingdom with regard to sovereignty or territorial and maritime jurisdiction over the Falkland islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas;

(b)   A change in the position of the Argentine Republic with regard to sovereignty or territorial and maritime jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding areas;

(c)    Recognition of or support for the position of the United Kingdom or the Argentine Republic with regard to sovereignty or territorial and maritime jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.

(2)   No act or activity carried out by the United Kingdom, the Argentine Republic or third parties as a consequence and in implementation of anything agreed to in the present meeting or in any similar subsequent meetings shall constitute a basis for affirming, supporting, or denying the position of he United Kingdom or the Argentine Republic regarding the sovereignty or territorial and maritime jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.

3.      The two Governments confirmed their commitment to respect fully the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular:

-         The obligation to settle disputes exclusively by peaceful means; and

-         The obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force.

The two Governments noted that all hostilities between them had ceased  Each Government undertook not to pursue any claim against the other, including nationals of the other, in respect of loss or damage arising from the hostilities and all other actions in and around the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands before 1989.

4.      Both Governments agreed, following notification of the two protecting powers, to re-establish consular relations at the level of Consul General.

5.      Both Governments reaffirmed their wish to normalise relations between their two countries with a view to resuming diplomatic relations, and agreed to include the question of diplomatic relations on the agenda for their next meeting.

6.      The delegations exchanged views and proposals about measures to build confidence and avoid incidents in the military sphere.  As a result of these exchanges, they agreed to set up a working group to consider these views and proposals, and to report to their respective Governments with the aim of pursuing the issue at the next substantive meeting.

Meanwhile, with the aim of strengthening mutual confidence, the British delegation announced the British Government’s decisions:

-         To dispense with the current requirement of prior agreement for Argentine merchant shipping to enter the Protection Zone

-         To align the limits of the Protection Zone with those of the Conservation Zone

These changes will come into effect at an early date to be announced.

The Argentine delegation took note of this announcement.

7.      Each delegation affirmed the wish of its Government to promote commercial and financial relations.  Both Governments agreed to lift all remaining restrictions and restrictive practices imposed since 1982.  In the light of this agreement, the British Government agreed to facilitate the establishment of co-operative links between Argentina and the European Community.

8.      The British delegation announced that the Export Credit Guarantee Department would make available short-term cover for British exporters to Argentina under irrevocable letters of credit from Argentine banks.  The British delegation also announced that a trade mission organised by the Latin American Trade Advisory Group of the British Overseas Trade Board would visit Argentina from 27 November to 1 December 1989 with the financial support of the Department of Trade and Industry.  The Argentine delegation welcomed this proposed visit.

9.      Both Governments agreed to the resumption of air and maritime communications between the two countries.  They will invite their respective civil aviation authorities to open appropriate negotiations.

10.  As regards fisheries, both delegations put forward their respective positions.  They agreed to set up a working group with a view to making proposals for exchanges of information for measures of co-operation and for conservation measures, to be reported to a future meeting.

11.  The two delegations exchanged views on contacts between the Falkland Islands and the continental mainland, and agreed on the benefit of developing such links and to keep the matter under review.

12.  Both delegations expressed their support for the cultural, scientific and sporting relations which already existed and looked forward tot heir further development.  They expressed their hope tat as normalisation advanced more formal relations in these fields would be resumed, for example through a new Cultural Agreement.

13.  It was agreed that both Governments would jointly send the text of the present statement to the Secretary General of the United Nations for distribution as an official document of the General Assembly, under Item 35 of the Agenda of the current session, and of the Security Council.  The United Kingdom will transmit this joint statement to the Commission of the European Community, and, for its part, the Republic of Argentina will do likewise to the Organisation of American States. 

14.  Both delegations agreed to hold their next substantive meeting in Madrid on 14 and 15 February 1990.

15.  In conclusion, both delegations expressed their thanks to the Spanish Government for its generous hospitality and support.

Our thanks to the Falkland Islands Government for supplying a copy of the Agreement

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