BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Argentine President Javier Milei reaffirmed Wednesday that his country would seek to recover sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, known in Britain as the Falkland Islands, through diplomatic means.
Speaking at an event in Madrid, Milei said he did not believe war could resolve the dispute.
He also said foreign companies extracting natural resources on the islands or in disputed waters would be barred from operating in the Vaca Muerta oil field in Argentina's Neuquen Province.
Argentina has recently taken a tougher stance on the dispute. In a nationally televised address on Sept. 3, Milei pledged tougher sanctions against foreign companies exploiting natural resources on the islands and in surrounding disputed waters.
On Sept. 22, Argentina's Foreign Ministry lodged a protest with the British Embassy over the island authorities' decision, backed by Britain, to extend oil and gas extraction licenses in the disputed areas.
The Malvinas Islands, located off Argentina's southern Atlantic coast, has been under British control since 1833, which Argentina deems a vestige of colonialism.
Argentina and Britain fought a war over the islands in April 1982, which Britain won. Argentina has maintained its sovereignty claim, while Britain has refused to negotiate the issue. ■
