Argentina calls for dialogue with Britain over disputed islands

Argentina on Saturday pushed for a negotiated solution to a diplomatic row with Britain after Britain decided to launch oil and gas exploration in the disputed Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.

Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana said in Mexico, where he is attending a Rio Group summit, that Britain should "sit down and have a dialogue about sovereignty" to settle the dispute.

Taiana is also to meet with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday to urge talks.

Argentina called Britain's planned hydrocarbon exploration in the north of the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands "a unilateral act of aggression" and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez signed a decree limiting maritime transit between the continental territory and the islands.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Thursday that the exploration was "completely in accordance with international law." But British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Friday in London that he was "confident" diplomacy could resolve a row over the disputed islands.

Argentina and Britain have been at odds over the sovereignty of the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands for decades, and their disputes led to a 74-day war between them in 1982, which ended in the defeat of Argentina.