Government reaffirms commitment to Falklands

29 June 2012

The government has set out its commitment to defend British Overseas Territories, including the Falkland Islands, from "any external security threats" in a new White Paper launched this week.

The protection of the 14 overseas territories, which include the vast British Antarctic Territory – itself more than six times larger than the UK - was "one of the UK government's most important responsibilities", the White Paper said.

Signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague, the document contained direct references to the continued defence of the Falkland Islands.

"We will continue to maintain an independent ability to defend the territories – including their territorial waters and airspace – from any external security threats they may face," the paper said.

"We will continue to ensure that our sovereignty over the territories is defended against all challenges so that, for those who live in the territories as British citizens, their right of self-determination is protected.

"In the South Atlantic British forces will maintain a defensive military posture to defend the Falklands and other British islands. There will be no weakening of the government's resolve."

British Overseas Territories include Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, the sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, the Pitcairn Islands, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.