Argentina prepared for talks with UK over Malvinas Islands

Argentina on Saturday reiterated its claim of sovereignty over the disputed Malvinas Islands, also known as Falkland Islands in Britain, saying it was ready for talks with Britain over the issue.

The Argentine government "reiterates its claim of sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich and the maritime space around them," Argentina's foreign ministry said in a statement.

President Nestor Kirchner's administration is permanently open to renewed talks with Britain with the goal of resolving the sovereignty dispute over Malvinas Islands in the shortest time possible, the statement said.

The disputed islands, located in the southern Atlantic near the Argentine coast, were occupied by British forces in 1833.

Argentina fought a 74-day war with Britain in 1982 over the

sovereignty of the archipelago, leaving 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers dead. Britain later regained control of the islands.

The two governments re-established diplomatic relations in 1990, but Argentina has never ceased to press its territorial demands.

Source: Xinhua