Ankara:Argentine President Javier Milei criticized the United Nations for allegedly ignoring the ongoing sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands, highlighting that unilateral actions are still occurring despite calls for negotiations.

According to Anadolu Agency, Milei addressed the UN General Assembly, emphasizing that the Falkland Islands are a "national cause" for Argentina. He pointed out the disconnect between international institutions and the realities they aim to address, referencing UN General Assembly Resolution 31/49 from 1976. This resolution urged Argentina and the UK to negotiate over the sovereignty issue and to avoid any unilateral changes while discussions are ongoing.

Milei expressed frustration that almost 50 years after the resolution, the dispute remains unresolved, and unilateral actions continue. He specifically mentioned the Sea Lion oil project in the North Falkland Basin, claiming it advances oil extraction on Argentina's continental shelf through licenses issued by British authorities, which Argentina views as illegal.

The Falkland Islands have been administered by Britain since 1833, though Argentina claims sovereignty over the archipelago and surrounding waters. This dispute led to a brief war in 1982 when Argentina occupied the islands, but Britain retained control after the conflict.

Resolution 31/49 calls for both parties to refrain from unilateral decisions that could alter the status quo while negotiations are recommended. Milei's comments come amid ongoing tensions over oil exploration around the islands, with Argentina rejecting British-approved hydrocarbon activities in what it considers its waters.