- UK Government to introduce new protective measures in
response to Argentine domestic measures targeting activity linked
to the Falkland Islands
- New measures will protect UK businesses and individuals from
extraterritorial Argentine domestic measures
- UK reaffirms support for the Falkland Islanders' right to
self-determination and economic development
Businesses investing in the Falklands Islands are set to be
protected from Argentinian domestic measures targeting
companies and individuals involved in lawful economic activity.
It comes as the government is preparing measures under Protection
of Trading Interests (PTI) legislation underlining that the UK
won't hesitate to protect UK businesses and individuals.
The measures will protect businesses from pressure to comply with
Argentine domestic measures and ensure that UK persons and
companies engaged in lawful activity around the Falkland Islands
can and will continue to make commercial decisions in accordance
with UK law.
The purpose of these measures is not to restrict lawful
commercial activity by UK or UK-based companies with Argentina,
but to protect them from being compelled to comply with
extraterritorial measures targeting lawful activity connected to
the Falkland Islands.
The Government is engaging closely with affected businesses
to offer support.
The UK supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop
their natural resources for their own economic benefit. Decisions
on economic development in the Falkland Islands are matters for
the Falkland Islands Government and the companies involved.
Secretary of State for Business and Trade said:
This makes it clear in no uncertain terms - that this Government
will act where Argentina seeks to impede lawful UK commercial
activity.
We will introduce measures under the Protection of Trading
Interests (PTI) legislation to protect UK interests and continue
to engage closely with affected businesses.
These steps send a clear signal that we will not stand by while
Argentina seeks to apply their domestic legislation to impede
legitimate commercial interests in the Falkland Islands.
Foreign Secretary said:
The UK's support for the Falkland Islands
is steadfast.
Argentina's attempts to intimidate businesses and individuals
engaged in legitimate commercial activity are unacceptable.
Companies should be free to make lawful commercial decisions
without the threat of political coercion.
We will always stand up for the Falkland Islanders, their right
to determine their own future, and their right to pursue
legitimate economic development.
Today's announcement demonstrates that the UK Government is
prepared to take concrete action in response to attempts by
Argentina to coerce businesses engaged in lawful activity.
This Government will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with
the Falkland Islands Government and the Falkland Islanders, and
to engage with affected businesses. It will continue to consider
all available options to protect UK interests and support the
Falkland Islanders.
Notes to Editors
·
Protection of Trading Interests legislation prevents UK persons
from complying with specific extraterritorial sanctions measures
· The
government will bring forward secondary legislation as quickly as
possible, with the aim to bring it into force before the end of
the year.
·
These measures will target only Argentinian extraterritorial
measures affecting the Falkland Islands.
