Chile's Defense Minister Fernando Barros Tocornal said his country's support for Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falklands (the South Atlantic archipelago Argentina calls the Malvinas, administered by Britain since 1833) does not restrict trade between the southern Magallanes region and the islands. Speaking to a Punta Arenas radio station, he said oil and mining exploration would be the most contentious issue and that Chile's Mercosur and Unasur commitments are political rather than legally binding. The remarks do not change Chile's formal position, reaffirmed in a September 3 declaration with Argentina, but they come as a Falklands development agency and a Chilean shipping firm plan a Punta Arenas–Stanley sea link, with a first voyage reportedly set for November.
Mosaic News
Chile's defense minister backs trade between Magallanes and the Falklands[Updated]
The Punta Arenas–Falklands link moved a step closer this week, when business people from both sides held 822 meetings over two days, September 28 and 29, at a Punta Arenas event organised by the municipality and Chilean shipping firm Easter Island Naviera. About 60 Magallanes companies and a 42-person delegation from 32 Falklands firms and organisations, led by Falkland Islands Development Corporation deputy managing director Louise Ellis, took part; organisers said several contracts were closed but gave no figures. Easter Island Naviera now plans to launch the direct sea route with a Chilean-flagged vessel between mid-November and the end of the year. Separately, Argentina announced arbitration against the United Kingdom over the Sea Lion oil project on September 28, and Uruguay's foreign minister said oil exploration had changed the nature of the dispute.