UK: The European Union was criticized by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for its "regrettable choice of words" after Brussels referred to the Falkland Islands by their Argentinian name in a formal document.

Following a summit with CELAC, a grouping of 33 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, on Tuesday in Brussels, the phrase "Islands Malvinas" appeared in an EU statement. The islands, which have a population of fewer than 4,000, were referred to in the text as the "Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands."

To be clear, the Falkland Islands are British; that was their decision, a Downing Street spokesman said in a statement on Thursday. The spokesperson added that in a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of island residents supported the UK's claim that the archipelago is a part of its territory.

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In a press release, the Falkland Islands government stated that it was "hugely disappointed" by the term used in the Brussels statement and urged the EU to refer to the islands by their "proper name."

Additionally, UK diplomats urged the EU to make clear its position on the South Atlantic islands. The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's joint foreign and defense ministry, stated that the bloc's position on territory has not changed. The EU considers the Falklands to be a British overseas territory in accordance with the 2009 Lisbon Treaty. Buenos Aires has nonetheless referred to the modified language as a "diplomatic triumph."

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The EU has correctly stated that its position on the Falklands has not changed, according to Sunak's office, which made the observation. Santiago Cafiero, Argentina's foreign minister, asserted on Wednesday that the continent's largest nation is eager to "further expand dialogue" about the sovereignty of the islands "off the back [of the EU's] declaration."

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A 74-day war raged on and around the disputed archipelago in 1982, which is about 1,500 km off the coast of Argentina. When it gained independence from Spain in 1816, Buenos Aires claims it was given authority over the islands, giving rise to its territorial claim to them.

But according to Great Britain, the Falklands have been "continuously, peacefully, and effectively inhabited and administered" since 1833. 255 members of the British forces perished during the conflict, while 655 Argentine soldiers perished overall. On June 14, 1982, the UK reclaimed control of the islands after Argentina gave up.