ARGENTINA AND THE SOUTH ATLANTIC PEACE AND COOPERATION ZONE (ZOPACAS)

Abstract

Despite its permanent presence in all ZOPACS meetings, the Argentine government has had a low profile, just following Brazil’s initiatives.  A relatively low interest in the South Atlantic maritime issues and in the African countries could explain this position. The vindication for the argentine sovereignty over the Malvinas (Falkland Islands) Georgia and Sandwich –a constant claim in Argentina’s Foreign Policy- and other connected matters such as the protection of the sea resources and disarmament, are the main issues that justify the participation of Argentina’s governments. Taking into consideration the three more important landmarks which pointed out the Zone’s activities, the objective of this paper is to shed light on the domestic and international argentine positions and actions towards the South Atlantic, taking into consideration the Malvinas issue and the place of African countries and mainly of South Africa and the countries of the western coast of Africa.