Johnson attempts to heal Falklands wounds

FOREIGN SECRETARY Boris Johnson has visited a Falklands War memorial in Argentine capital Buenos Aires and laid a wreath in honour of the dead on both sides of the conflict.

Mr Johnson was joined by foreign minister Jorge Faurie and defence minister Oscar Aguad to pay their respects at a ceremony at the Monumento a los Caidos en Malvinas – the Monument to the Fallen in the Falklands.

Argentina’s chief of the cabinet of ministers Marcos Pena will next month lay a wreath in St Paul’s Cathedral in London to reciprocate the gesture.

The move is part of an effort by the UK to reset relations with Argentina after more than a decade in the deep freeze during the presidencies of Nestor Kirchner and Cristina Kirchner, whose bellicose stance on the

Relationship between the UK and Argentina has come a long way. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson speaking on his arrival in Argentina.

islands was used to distract attention from the country’s economic woes.

Argentina still claims the disputed archipelago, and some Kirchner-era restrictions on economic activity and transport links remain in place.

But since his election as president in 2015, Mauricio Macri has significantly dialled down the rhetoric about the islands while Britain stands firm on self-determination.

Speaking on arrival in Argentina, Mr Johnson said: “The relationship between the UK and Argentina has come a long way over the past few years and this visit will be an opportunity to build on and enhance ever closer co-operation on trade, investment, cultural ties, tackling corruption and organised crime, and increasing links in science and technology.”