Port Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands
Argentina believes the UK is illegally occupying the Falklands

Argentina has said it wants dialogue with the UK in the row over planned British oil drilling around the Falkland Islands.

Deputy Foreign Minister Victorio Taccetti added that Argentina could do little beyond the new controls it had imposed on shipping to the islands.

The UK has said the oil exploration conforms to international law.

An oil rig from the UK has arrived in the Falklands' waters, with drilling due to begin on Sunday.

Earlier this week, Argentina announced that special permits would be required by all ships heading from its ports or through its waters to the Falklands.

Buenos Aires is also hoping its neighbouring countries will co-operate to impose South America-wide restrictions.

Mr Taccetti said: "We are trying to convince the British that it is in their interest to negotiate with Argentina.

"This is not an escalation, this is just something that we have to do in order to protect our rights - because we consider that this exploration and eventual exploitation of our natural resources is illegal."

He said Argentina would use "all the legal means to restrict the access to the islands from the continent", but added: "I don't think we can go much further."

Geologists say there could be rich energy reserves in the ocean bed surrounding the British Overseas Territory of the Falklands.