Argentina is in negotiations with Britain to scrap a Falklands-era weapons ban that could see the South American nation handed access to advanced military technology.
President Javier Milei confirmed that talks are ongoing to overhaul the measures, which are said to have hampered Argentina’s military since the Falklands War.
He told The Telegraph: “There are no world powers without military power.
“There is no country that counts in the international context if they can’t defend their borders.”
President Javier Milei confirmed that talks are ongoing to overhaul the measures
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The restrictions prevents weapons containing British components from being sold to Argentina if it might strengthen its military, creating an effective ban on Western arms.
A joint lobbying push by Argentina and the US is underway to ease the restrictions.
When asked whether discussions over changes to the rules had been initiated, the Argentine leader said they “absolutely” had.
Mr Milei is set to become the first Argentinian president to visit Britain since 1998, The Telegraph has revealed.
The restrictions prevents weapons containing British components from being sold to Argentina if it might strengthen its military
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He told the newspaper he intended to set foot on British soil in spring next year.
The Argentine leader said he hoped to hold meetings with Sir Keir Starmer and opposition party leaders.
Mr Milei noted that he would “absolutely” like to hold talks with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who he lauded for his “vision” over Brexit.
He confirmed he had extended an invitation for Sir Keir to make an official visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital.
Mr Milei noted that he would ‘absolutely’ like to hold talks with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage
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The Argentine president also declared that the Falkland Islands will be “returned” to Argentina through a diplomatic process.
Mr Milei said: “Since I consider that the solution is to be sought through peaceful and diplomatic means, I think the best way to show the willingness on the part of Argentina is to show that we also have a commercially adult relationship.”
He added that he had delegated negotiations over lifting the weapons ban to his defence minister, Carlos Alberto Presti, “according to what he thinks needs to be removed in terms of restrictions.”
He said he would also look to bolster trade with Britain while “taking the geopolitical risks into consideration.”
The Argentine leader has established a close relationship with President Donald Trump
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Current strict UK export rules say that Britain should “refuse licences for export and trade of goods judged to enhance Argentine military capability”.
However, since Mr Milei was elected in 2023, relations between Britain and Argentina have improved.
Sources told The Telegraph the US has helped broker defence talks between the two countries.
The Argentine leader has established a close relationship with President Donald Trump, who has called him his “favourite president”.
