Why the EU document mentioning the “Malvinas/Falklands” is a big deal

exist Recent Summits EU leaders meet with Celac leaders to announce declaration Reference is made to the “Malvinas Islands/Falkland Islands”.

The summit, aimed at revitalizing economic and diplomatic relations between Europe and Latin American and Caribbean countries, ended with a joint declaration signed by 27 EU member states and 32 Latin American and Caribbean countries. It is not a binding document, but the decision to refer to the islands as their Spanish and their English names have profound meanings. Reporting efforts Britain was angered when Foreign Secretary James Cleverly excluded the islands entirely from the summit declaration.

Britain and Argentina have disputed ownership of the southern archipelago since 1833 – a fact that was quickly underlined by responses from both governments. statement lamented the EU’s “poor choice of words”. Meanwhile, Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero It is said that Praise the EU’s willingness to “take note” of the Argentine government’s territorial claims and call it a “victory for Argentine diplomacy.”

Argentina has long advocated dialogue and negotiation. Britain, on the other hand, has always insisted that the islands belong to Britain. Islanders Voted in favor of this position.

The incident highlighted the weakening influence of the UK on EU affairs after Brexit. Its status The language of the islands remains the same, meaning it continues to recognize British sovereignty, but the shift in language is still evident. The use of dual monikers for the islands suggests that each name has equal validity, and the British government has Point out To use the name used by Argentina would be to question British sovereignty. It also stressed that Marking a breakthrough The EU and the UK have always had the same position. An EU official said: “The UK is not a member of the EU. They are unhappy about the use of the term Malvinas Islands. If they were in the EU, perhaps they would object.”

Origin of the name of the islands

My research shows that The rhetoric of “legal possession” is at the heart of territorial disputes. It is rooted in the act of naming.

With the advent of the European Age of Discovery in the 16th century, territorial naming (or renaming) became central to colonial practice. As the British writer James Hamilton-Patterson put it, it was a means of Already put itto exercise ideological control over the territory.

From the 16th century onwards, the archipelago was referred to interchangeably by various names, such as the Sebald Islands, the New Islands, and Hawkins Maiden Islands, each associated with a different European expedition. These names often referred to possible but unconfirmed sightings. Other names – the Falklands, the Maloin Islands – only came to be noted later for their presence on maps, highlighting the strategic importance of cartography.

British records of the Falkland Islands since the 19th century Credit The discovery was made by the Elizabethan navigator John Davis, whose ship, the Desire, was said to have sailed between the two main islands during a storm on August 14, 1592. there is controversy These include legal scholar Roberto C Laver and others.

The first confirmed sightings and accurate mapping date back to 1600, by the Dutch navigator Sebald de Weert. The first undisputed landing was made by John Strong, an English sailor and captain of the Welfare, in January 1690. Strong sailed along the channel between the two main islands, which he named the Falkland Straits in honour of Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland, who was then the Admiralty Commissioner.

By the early 18th century, British terminology began to change. Map drawn The discovery by English astronomer Edmund Halley shows how cartographers moved from using the name “Seebold de Waerds Isles” to using the name “Falkland Islands” or “Falkland Islands”.

Meanwhile, French expeditions in the 18th century first mentioned “les Îles Nouvelles” (the New Islands), and, Since 1722referring to “les Îles Malouines”, a reference to Saint-Malo, the Breton port from which French expeditions often departed. It is from the latter that the Spanish name “Malvinas Islands” is derived. Derivative.

Beyond geography

In his landmark 1993 book, Culture and ImperialismLiterary scholar Edward Said wrote:

Just as none of us are outside or beyond geography, none of us are entirely free from the struggle over geography, a struggle that is both complex and interesting because it is not just about soldiers and cannons but about ideas, forms, images, and imagination.

Islands always have a certain imaginary quality. Many imaginary islands appear and disappear on maps, including He-Brazilit has long been said that Irish Coastand St. Brendanwas spotted somewhere in the North Atlantic but has never been found.

Cartographic history even shows that real places, such as Ascension IslandThe shapes and locations of islands are constantly changing, as their absolute locations and boundaries can be difficult to determine. As the following example shows bermeja i. (known as Mexico’s Lost Islands) and Hans Island In the Arctic, Canada and Denmark have a long-standing border dispute, not to mention numerous South China Sea territorial disputesand it is still the same today.

Place names (or place names) often have significant Cultural significance. They identify. They connect people to their traditions. They provide a sense of belonging—or alienation. They are Emotional symbolsSome people are given greater Symbol of capital or resistance Compared to others.

The case of the Falkland Islands/Malvinas clearly demonstrates this. Teslin Backman, Deputy Chairman of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, said: Has been urged The EU “respects the wishes of the Falkland Islanders and calls us by our correct name”.

However, the inclusion of this territorial dispute in the EU manifesto itself shows that Brussels will no longer It is necessary to show partnership with the UK on sovereignty issues. This shows that the EU is willing to discuss further.