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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean. (FP)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, has espoused the importance of citizens’ right to self- determination in the management of their own affairs.

She made this observation on Tuesday during a courtesy call with member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands, Ian Hansen and representative of the younger generation of the Falkland Islands, Emily Hancox, at Parliament.

The Foreign Minister received an update from both officials about the recent results of the referendum in which 99.8 per cent of the Islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory.

In highlighting the important referendum, Mr. Hansen explained: "We are not asking any country to say that we [Falkland Islanders] support either Argentina or Britain, what we would like is for people to say, ???yes’, we have seen the results of the referendum so we support your right to self-determination."

In turn, Senator McClean said the right to self-determination was a position that Barbados supported and gave the undertaking to hold further discussions at the CARICOM level.

"What the referendum does is to insert a new variable and, therefore, that has to be factored in. Previously, the issue was positioned as one that involved two jurisdictions – the United Kingdom and Argentina.?? But, with the referendum, it adds a dimension which cannot be ignored. From my perspective, the [referendum] has to be inserted into dialogue going forward."

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

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