Great Britain releases the Chagos Islands-DiePresse.com
The islands were split off from Mauritius in 1965. British control now ends – almost at least.
After long negotiations, Great Britain releases one of his overseas areas. The sovereignty over the Chagos Islands passes to Mauritius. Prime Minister Keir Strandmer signed a corresponding agreement. However, the island of Diego Garcia, on which there is an important military base leased to the USA.
The strategic position of the area is of the greatest importance for Great Britain, said Strandmer. The island should therefore remain under British control at least 99 years. In return, the British want to pay a billion dollar.
Why the islands are strategically important
The Chagos Islands are around 9,500 kilometers from London. They were split off by Mauritius in 1965, three years before the state’s independence. The inhabitants of the islands had been forced.
The International Court of Justice in the Hague and the General Assembly of the United Nations supported Mauritius’ decades -old entitlement to the islands. Conservative politicians, on the other hand, criticized the plans as a sale of strategic British interests and warned that the risk of leaving the area of Chinese influence.
Prime Minister Starmer defended the deal, which, according to him, should cost around £ 3.4 billion (around 4 billion euros). The agreement is the only way to maintain the military base in the long run. (APA/dpa)
