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BORIS Johnson laid a wreath at an Argentinian Falklands memorial tonight and urged Brits to reset ties with the country.

In a hugely symbolic moment, the Foreign Secretary visited a Falklands War Memorial.

 Poignant moment Boris Johnson lays a wreath at the Falklands War memorial in Buenos Aires
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Poignant moment Boris Johnson lays a wreath at the Falklands War memorial in Buenos AiresCredit: Andrew Parsons
 Boris Johnson lays wreath to commemorate the 649 Argentines killed in the conflict
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Boris Johnson lays wreath to commemorate the 649 Argentines killed in the conflictCredit: Andrew Parsons
 The Falklands War memorial commemorates the 649 Argentines killed in the conflict
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The Falklands War memorial commemorates the 649 Argentines killed in the conflictCredit: Matt Dathan Political Correspondent
 Boris Johnson lays a wreath at a Falklands War memorial in solemn ceremony with Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie
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Boris Johnson lays a wreath at a Falklands War memorial in solemn ceremony with Foreign Minister Jorge FaurieCredit: Andrew Parsons
 Boris Johnson joins moving ceremony in Argentina in bid to build ties with the country
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Boris Johnson joins moving ceremony in Argentina in bid to build ties with the countryCredit: Matt Dathan Political Correspondent

Boris, joined with Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie and Defence Minister Oscar Aguad, laid wreaths to commemorate those killed on both sides of the conflict at the ‘Monument to the Fallen’.

The Monument - called the Monument to the Fallen in Malvinas by the Argentinians because they dispute Britain's sovereignty over the islands - commemorates the 649 Argentines killed in the conflict but not the 255 Brits.

In exchange, a leading Argentine Cabinet minister will lay a wreath at St Paul’s next month.

It marks a push to move the relationship on from the ten-week conflict in 1982, which plunged relations between the two nations in the deep freeze for years.

Mr Johnson landed in Buenos Aires this weekend - becoming the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit the country in more than 25 years and only the second since the Falklands War.

 Boris Johnson is the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit Argentina in more than 25 years
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Boris Johnson is the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit Argentina in more than 25 yearsCredit: Reuters
 Boris Johnson was joined by Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie and Defence Minister Oscar Aguad for the wreath laying ceremony
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Boris Johnson was joined by Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie and Defence Minister Oscar Aguad for the wreath laying ceremonyCredit: Andrew Parsons
 The memorial pays tribute to the Argentine soldiers that died in the Falklands War in 1982
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The memorial pays tribute to the Argentine soldiers that died in the Falklands War in 1982Credit: Getty - Contributor

He said: “It is an honour to join Foreign Minister Faurie today, and to lay a wreath at the Monument to the Fallen, commemorating all those who died in the Falkland Islands conflict.”

Mr Johnson said relations between the two countries had “come a long way” in recent years and said they should now focus on increasing trade.

 Boris said: 'It is an honour to join Foreign Minister Faurie today, and to lay a wreath at the Monument to the Fallen'
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Boris said: 'It is an honour to join Foreign Minister Faurie today, and to lay a wreath at the Monument to the Fallen'
 Boris Johnson pictured on his five-day tour of South America
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Boris Johnson pictured on his five-day tour of South AmericaCredit: Matt Dathan Political Correspondent
 Boris Johnson walks beside Argentinian Foreign Minister as plans for a leading Argentine Cabinet minister to lay a wreath at St Paul’s next month are announced
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Boris Johnson walks beside Argentinian Foreign Minister as plans for a leading Argentine Cabinet minister to lay a wreath at St Paul’s next month are announced
 Boris Johnson meets a sloth on a visit to a wildlife sanctuary
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Boris Johnson meets a sloth on a visit to a wildlife sanctuary
Boris Johnson dances with pupils at a school deep in the Amazon jungle

Boris spent the weekend in Peru – where he toured the Amazon rainforest, coming face-to-face with a spider monkey and fed manatees at an animal rescue centre set up to crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade.

He also visited a visited a school in the remote jungle village of Santa Marta – where he danced with kids in front of 200 people and chatted about Peru’s hopes at next month’s football World Cup.

 Bitter and bloody two-month conflict led to the deaths of 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiers
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Bitter and bloody two-month conflict led to the deaths of 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiersCredit: AFP
 The Royal Marines dug in and ready for action on the wet and windy slopes of the East Falklands
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The Royal Marines dug in and ready for action on the wet and windy slopes of the East FalklandsCredit: PA:Press Association
 British Royal Marines guarding captured Argentinian as they await transit out of the area
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British Royal Marines guarding captured Argentinian as they await transit out of the areaCredit: PA:Press Association

He also launched a new solar-panel project at the school, which is near to the Peruvian port city of Iquitos.

The scheme - paid for by British foreign aid money – will provide electricity and portable water for the school.


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