Reader TTS

Argentina has long disputed British ownership of the Falklands, with the Southern American nation invading the British overseas territory on April 2, 1982, leading to a two-month military

conflict between the UK and Argentina. The bitter conflict resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentinian and 255 British servicemen, with the UK retaining the territory. But 35 years on,

Argentina are paying close attention to Brexit negotiations, claiming the two-year exit process could see Europe’s defence of Britain’s sovereignty over the island fail. Asked if Brexit

could have an impact on the Falklands dispute, foreign minister Susana Malcorra claimed officials were following the negotiations “carefully”. She said: "The European Union, through its

agreements, is connected very closely and strongly to the United Kingdom. "It could be that things change there. But I think it is still quite early. “Brexit is just starting and there

are many issues. We are following it carefully." A spokesman for the EU's foreign policy service refused to comment on claims the bloc might change its policy on the Falklands. It

comes after the bloc were accused of using British owned Gibraltar as a “political pawn” after the EU chiefs gave Spain the ability to veto any trade agreement secured with Britain from

applying to the Rock. Spain has repeatedly tried to claim ownership of Gibraltar despite fierce opposition from its 30,000 inhabitants, who have expressed their desire to remain British time

and time again. Condemning Spain as having an “unhealthy obsession” with the peninsula, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo hit out at the EU decision to allow Madrid “to discriminate

against the British people of Gibraltar”. Mr Picardo said: “Gibraltar is not going to be a political pawn in Brexit, neither is it going to be a victim of Brexit. "Gibraltar is going

to be very prosperous, very successful and entirely British before, during and after Brexit." He lashed out at Spain for pushing at the amendment so early in the process, saying the EU

member state was "employing her unhealthy obsession with Gibraltar and bringing it to the table of a very complex negotiation already".