News

Ministers attending the Seventh Ministerial UK-Caribbean Forum have agreed an Action Plan, which recognises the right of self determination for the Falkland Islanders.

The meeting, held in Grenada, was held under the theme “Prosperity Towards Sustainable Growth” and was attended by the UK Government and members of the Caribbean Community organisation (CARICOM).  Numerous Caribbean Heads of Government and Ministers attended the meeting, with the UK represented by the Foreign Secretary William Hague, and the Overseas Territories Minister Jeremy Browne.  The forum agreed an Action Plan containing agreements on a range of issues from climate change to sustainable development.  Of great significance to the Falkland Islands, the Forum agreed:

“To support the principle and the right to self determination for all peoples, including the Falkland Islanders, recognising the historical importance of self-determination in the political development of the Caribbean, and its core status as an internationally agreed principle under the United Nations Charter”

Member of the Legislative Assembly Jan Cheek said:

“We are delighted to have our rights recognised by our friends in the Caribbean.  We have much in common with island states all around the world, and we have long maintained our right as a people to determine the future of our home and country.  This basic right is what the Argentine Government are trying to deny us.”

The Action Plan endorses the position of the Falkland Islands people, who have chosen to retain their status as a British Overseas Territory.  The Argentine Government claim sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, and have adopted a policy of isolating the Falkland Islands from South America.

For further information please contact:

Darren Christie, Public Relations and Media Manager

dchristie@sec.gov.fk

+500 27400

Due to a reported outbreak of norovirus on the cruise vessel Star Princess, following agreed protocols, the Chief Medical Officer took the difficult decision not to allow the vessel to land in the Falkland Islands as scheduled.  The vessel had been due to arrive in Stanley at 8am on the 14^th January.

The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Stanley were informed of the problem on the afternoon of the 13th of January, and communicated the decision that evening following consultation with both the ship’s doctor and a consultant microbiologist in the UK.

This difficult decision was not been taken lightly, and was made in the wider interests of the public and tourism industry.  Norovirus is highly infectious, and causes potentially severe sickness and diarrhea.  It is spread easily by direct contact, touching contaminated surfaces, and through inhalation.  The virus has become a serious issue in hospitals and vessels around the world and can be very serious in the elderly and the very young.  An outbreak in the Falkland Islands would put enormous pressure on our limited medical resources, and jeopardise other scheduled cruise visits.

The Falkland Islands Government wish those affected a speedy recovery and an enjoyable onward journey, and hope to be able to welcome you to our beautiful home and country in the future.

This is only the second occasion that a tour vessel has ever had to be turned away from the Falkland Islands, with over 100 cruise visits welcomed every year.

In consultation with the cruise operator and local agent, a post-incident review is to take place.