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Russia stance on Malvinas Islands invariable - foreign minister Lavrov

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out that results of a referendum held in Britain in March are not considered as recognition of British sovereignty over the islands

MOSCOW, June 10 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s position on Malvinas Islands remains invariable, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Argentinean media on Monday.

“The results of a referendum Great Britain held in March have not influenced it, and we don’t consider them as the recognition of British sovereignty over the islands,” the foreign minister stressed.

Moscow supports Argentina’s intentions “to begin as soon as possible direct bilateral negotiations with Great Britain with an aim of a peaceful settlement of the dispute over the sovereignty of Malvinas Islands, with due regard for numerous resolutions of the United Nations,” he stressed.

“We intend to stick to this approach in the future, including in the UN Special Committee on Decolonization,” he added.

“Like countries of Latin America and their associations, Russia believes that the militarization of the South Atlantic region is inadmissible and that all parties must strictly observe their international commitments on the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (Tlatelolco) and the Additional Protocols to it,” the top Russian diplomat said.

“We believe it is necessary that the parties in the dispute refrain from moves capable to aggravate the start of negotiations,” he added.