Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly notes progression of Chagos Sovereignty Exercise
The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly notes the UK Government’s recent announcement of the progression of the sovereignty exercise to make Mauritius sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago.
Deputy Chair, MLA Mark Pollard, said on the announcement: “The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly is pleased to hear the recognition of the unique nature of the relationship between our Islands and the United Kingdom.”
“The history of the Falkland Islands is unique, and vastly different from that of the Chagos Islands. The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly and Falkland Islands Government have been assured in a phone call with and a letter from with Minister Stephen Doughty — Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories — that this agreement has no impact on the self-determination of the Falkland Islands people, and the existing and future relationship between the Falkland Islands and United Kingdom, which is based on the free choice of the people ofthe Falkland Islands.”
The Assembly reaffirms the importance of self-determination as a fundamental principle of international law and governance. Our relationship with the United Kingdom is one we have chosen freely and is recognised in the long-standing bond of friendship and cooperation between our two governments.
The people of the Falklands have freely chosen our political status as a self-governing British Overseas Territory – aswas demonstrated in our 2013 referendum, where 99.8% of voters (in a 92% turnout) voted yes when asked if theywished this status to remain.
Our situation is unique to the Falklands and is entirely separate to the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
Office of the Legislative Assembly
Gilbert House
