Tri-Service

Falklands Sovereignty 'Threatened'

The Falkland Islands government has expressed concern about a United Nations decision to expand Argentina's maritime territory.

The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf has ruled in favour of an Argentinian claim that would increase its waters in the South Atlantic Ocean by 35%, or 0.66 million miles.

That expansion would include the Falkland Islands and beyond. The Islanders have now sought clarification from Britain over the possible implications of the ruling.

Mike Summers, chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands, said.

"Our understanding has always been that the UN would not make any determination on applications for continental shelf extension in areas where there are competing claims."

The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf's ruling follows a 2009 report by Argentina that fixed its territory 200 to 350 miles from its coast.

The commission's findings did include the caveat that there is an unresolved diplomatic dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands.

The decision could have consequences on claims to the natural resources in the sea around the islands.

Oil exploration is pumping millions of pounds into the Falkland Islands economy.

The Falkland Islands are internally self-governing, but Britain is responsible for their defence and foreign affairs and came to their aid during the 1982 invasion by Argentina.

The British government says islanders cannot be forced to accept Argentine sovereignty against their will.

Argentina's foreign minister Susana Malcorra said the decision.