Argentina could ‘exploit’ no-deal Brexit to prise Falklands away from Britain

ARGENTINA could exploit the fallout from a no-deal Brexit to bring the Falklands under its control.

The country’s foreign minister Jorge Faurie said his country would use the situation to “enhance” its own diplomatic push to take over the islands.

Talking to the Telegraph, Mr Faurie said once the UK leaves the European Union, all EU treaties will no longer apply and member states won't be obliged to support the UK’s claim over the South Atlantic territory.

He said: “Our planning for Las Malvinas (Argentina’s name for the islands) is to have a negotiation that will enable stronger relations between the people on the islands and the people on the continent.

“And we hope that the non Brexit (no-deal) solution will enhance the possibility of that dialogue to be truly one with results.”

Mr Faurie suggested Argentina could take advantage of looser diplomatic ties between the UK and EU as part of its ongoing bid to take control of the Falklands.

Mr Faurie said: “If you think member states [of the EU] would not sustain the Malvinas claim in favour of the UK, we are there ... to talk, to negotiate, to see what would be the best solution for the people in the islands to be much more in touch with Argentina.”

It comes amid growing uncertainty over the legal status of the UK's overseas territories.

Under the EU’s 2009 Lisbon Treaty, the Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory where EU rules apply.

The EU’s Duty of Sincere Cooperation includes a a mutual legal obligation for the EU member states to help each other over any claims over sovereignty.

Mr Faurie, on a visit to the UK, reiterated his position that the Falklands, which Britain went to war over in 1982, should be integrated into mainland Argentina.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is due to meet Argentinian president Mauricio Macri at the G20 in Buenos Aires on November 30.

This would be the first visit by a British prime minister to Argentina since Tony Blair in 2001.