Fury as EU calls Falklands ‘Malvinas’ in new deal as Argentina vows to make fresh bid for ‘sovereignty negotiations’

EU chiefs risked fury last night after referring to the Falkland Islands by its Argentine name.

Brits hit back after the European Council endorsed an Argentina-backed declaration referring to them as Islas Malvinas.

The Argies claimed victory after the summit of EU leaders with Latin American and Caribbean leaders – and said it was time to start talks about its future.

Buenos Aires said it was the first time the EU had officially recognised in a joint declaration the Latin American position on the islands – despite them overwhelmingly voting to stay a part of the UK.

Argentine foreign minister Santiago Cafiero said that “off the back of this declaration the Argentine government hopes to further expand dialogue with the EU regarding the question of the Malvinas Islands”.

Mr Cafiero added: “This joint declaration constitutes a further call from the international community for the UK to agree to meet its obligation to resume sovereignty negotiations with Argentina.”

Government insiders insisted it would change nothing and it was political posturing ahead of their elections.

They asked the EU to keep it off the table ahead of the summit – but the plea fell on deaf ears.

Rishi Sunak today slammed the EU for a “regrettable choice of words”.

His official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s view is that it would have been entirely unacceptable for the EU to question the Falkland Islanders’ right to decide their own future.

“To be clear, the Falkland Islands are British, that was the choice of the islanders themselves.

“The EU has rightly now clarified that their position on the Falklands has not changed after their regrettable choice of words.”

A figure close to the Foreign Secretary hit out last night: “The Argentine government can lobby whoever they wish but it doesn’t change the fact that the Falkland Islands are British.

“That is the clear will of the Falkland Islanders.

“Ten years ago, 99.8 per cent of Falkland Islanders who voted said they wanted to stay a part of the UK family.

Our commitment to that decision is unwavering and will continue to be so.”

But the EU hit back, with an official saying: “If they were in the EU perhaps they would have pushed back against it.” 

A government source said: “The Argentine Government can lobby whoever they wish but it doesn’t change the fact that the Falkland Islands are British.

“That is the clear will of the Falkland Islanders.

“10 years ago, 99.8% of Falkland Islanders who voted said they wanted to stay a part of the UK family.

“Our commitment to that decision is unwavering and will continue to be so.”