Hugo Swire visits the Falkland Islands
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Hugo Swire will pay his first visit to the Falkland Islands from 10-14 February.
During his visit Mr Swire will meet the Falklands Legislative Assembly, and senior Falkland Islands Government officials to discuss their plans for development of the Falklands鈥� economy. He will also visit the British Cemetery at San Carlos and the Argentine Cemetery at Goose Green to lay wreaths in memory of those who died in the 1982 conflict.
In a referendum in March 2013 Falkland Islanders voted by 99.8% to remain a UK Overseas Territory.
Mr Swire said:
皇冠体育app people of the Falkland Islands are British because they have chosen to be so. This was clearly reinforced by the referendum result last year when 99.8% voted in favour of remaining a UK Overseas Territory.
皇冠体育app UK has administered the Falkland Islands peacefully and effectively for 181 years. But our relationship with the Islands today is a modern one based on mutual respect and partnership. 皇冠体育appse Islands are a democratic, self-governing Overseas Territory and are rightly proud to be economically self-sufficient.
I am looking forward to learning about the Falklands鈥� thriving economy and the Falkland Islands Government鈥檚 plans for future development.
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