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Press Release
Prime Minister's New Year Address to the Falkland Islands
December 2007
As this significant year draws to a close, I am pleased to have my first opportunity as Prime Minister to send Season's Greetings to everyone in the Falkland Islands.
This is a time for us to look back on what has been a busy and emotional year for the people of the Falkland Islands as we remembered the 25th anniversary of Argentina's invasion of your home.
These commemorations, in both the UK and the Falkland Islands, were a fitting and respectful tribute to all those who lost their lives in the conflict, many of them defending your freedom and your right to determine your own future.
In November, you welcomed back to the Islands some of the British veterans of that campaign, many of whom were returning for the first time and who were able to remember fallen comrades and recall memories of the conflict. We all owe a debt to the courage shown by our soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen who we call upon to defend the freedoms and values that symbolise Britain and what she represents.
I know that Argentine veterans continue to visit the Islands and that, with the agreement of the Falkland Islands Government, discussions are taking place with the Argentine Families Commission to enable the families of the Argentine fallen to visit the Islands.
It is important that ordinary Argentinians also have the opportunity to remember their loved ones who were sent into battle and your compassion in allowing such visits to go ahead is greatly appreciated.
The anniversary saw renewed public and media interest in the Falkland Islands and provided an opportunity to demonstrate how successful the Falklands have been in developing the territory over the last 25 years.
And I join you now in looking forward to the future, and the opportunities we hope it will bring for the sustainable development of the Islands' natural resources, whilst minimising the impact on your stunning natural environment for generations of Falklanders to come.
With the prospect of a further round of oil exploration in Falkland waters, the Falkland Islands Government will need to consider more fully the impact the discovery of oil would have on the social and environmental circumstances of the community.
In 2007 the Falklands was again popular with tourists, drawn by the natural beauty and wildlife of the Islands. You are fortunate to live among such magnificent surroundings; something that I can relate to as the Falklands bears a remarkable similarity to my native Scotland. With ongoing conservation efforts and the hard work of the Falklands Tourist Board your tourist industry will continue to go from strength to strength.
Britain's policy on Overseas Territories is about self-determination, democracy and partnership. It is fitting that this year, officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Falkland Islands Government have begun a review of the Falklands constitution to ensure that you have a modern constitution that meets the needs and challenges of the Islands in the 21st century.
As this anniversary year draws to a close I would like to restate my Government's commitment to protecting the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination. I have no doubts about the UK's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and undertake to uphold your security and everything you have worked so hard to achieve over the past 25 years.
May I end by wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful New Year.
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