More than 20 countries in the South Atlantic coast reported an “undue militarization”

January 15, 2013
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Representatives from 21 countries of South America and Africa with coasts on the Atlantic discussed in Montevideo the consolidation of the ocean as a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their “undue militarization” when growing tension between Britain and Argentina over the disputed of Falkland/Malvinas Islands.

“There is a concern about undue militarization” of the ocean, told reporters the Foreign Minister of Brazil, Antonio Patriota, noting that “there are issues of decolonization did not reach their final solution.”

“We need to build an image zone free of weapons of mass destruction,” he said, pausing the ministerial meeting to be held until Tuesday.

In this framework, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Argentina, Eduardo Zuain raised the concern of his country by increasing British military presence in the Falkland Islands, an archipelago claimed by Buenos Aires and that London controls since 1833.

The topic will be specifically included in the declaration to be adopted by ministers on Wednesday, ahead Patriot.

The Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS) established in 1986 by resolution of the UN General Assembly meet in Montevideo.