Argentina calls for continued observance of Antarctic Treaty

    BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Argentina on Saturday called for the continued observance of the Antarctic Treaty in efforts to avoid disputes over the region's resources.

    Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana made the call when attending activities marking the country's Antarctic Day.

    He said the Antarctic Treaty has been instrumental in shelving claims by different countries over the sovereignty of Antarctica, boosting international cooperation and promoting polar expeditions and research.

    The Argentine government backs efforts to keep and strengthen the treaty's mechanisms in the interest of maintaining peace in the region, he said.

    He also said that China, Russia, Brazil, Chile and other countries have offered great help for Argentina's polar expeditions this year, as its icebreaker, the Almirante Irizar, is currently under repair after catching fire.

    Signed in 1959, the treaty entered into force on June 23, 1961.It internationalized and demilitarized the Antarctic Continent and provided for its cooperative exploration and future use.

    It provides that Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. It specifically prohibits "any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers as well as the testing of any type of weapons."

    As the earliest of the post-World War II arms limitation agreements, the treaty now has 46 signatory states. Under the treaty's mechanism, 15 consultative meetings have been held.