“The EU is encroaching on foreign affairs in a way that I find
absolutely outrageous” said MP Andrew Rosindell for Romford, Essex.
“The EU is again giving the impression that it has some influence and
power over things which rightly are British government domain”, added
MP Rosindell.
Last week a delegation of European lawmakers visited Argentina and
met with peers from the Senate mainly to discuss how to advance stalled
trade relations between the EU and Mercosur member countries.
Taking advantage of the circumstance Senator Daniel Filmus head to
the Foreign Affairs Committee called on members of the EU delegation to
press Britain to begin talks with Argentina about the disputed
Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty
“To advance in the strengthening of the accords it would be
beneficial if the EU would commit itself to help”, said Filmus who added
Argentina wanted the UK to dialogue on the “Malvinas question”.
It was then that MEP Luis Yañez Barnuevo, from Spain and head of the
delegation replied that for the European Parliament “British sovereignty
over the Islands, as such is not accepted”.
This despite the fact that in early March the Falkland Islands held a
referendum on their future and political status, and an overwhelming
turnout and vote confirmed the Islanders wish to remain as a British
Overseas Territory.
MP Rossindell said that this attitude from members of the European
Parliament “is yet another reason why PM Cameron must bring forward the
referendum (on remaining with the EU) so Britain can reassert its
independence and prevent the diminishing or our own power and
sovereignty over issues that should rightly be decided by the British
people”.
MEP William Dartmouth from the Independent Party said “It is almost
unbelievable that a politician from another country considers it
appropriate to make unhelpful and hostile comments about Britain’s
internal affairs. Spain still holds its own conclaves in Africa claimed
by neighbouring Morocco.
“You can’t imagine a British politician going to Morocco and making similar comments”, insisted MEP Dartmouth.
A Falklands’ war veteran Major-General Julian Thompson was also
involved in the debate and said MEPs have ‘no right to make such
statements’.
“Some might ask what right Spain has to hold colonies in Africa for
instance. The will of the Falkland Islanders has been clearly expressed
and it should be respected”, said the Thompson is direct reference to
the March referendum.
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