David Sillito: Any discussion over the future of the islands is off the agenda

It is to be a "visit of reconciliation" said a spokeswoman for the Argentine embassy, but with trade and industry as the main business.

Both governments stress that relations have been good for some time. But it will be difficult for President Carlos Menem and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to avoid the issue of the sovereignty over the 'Malvinas', the Argentine name for the Falkland Islands.

During the six-day trip - the first official visit by an Argentine president since 1959 - President Menem will meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace and Mr Blair at Downing Street.

In the spirit of reconciliation he will attend a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral where he is to lay a wreath at the memorial to Britain's Falklands dead.

Prince Andrew, who flew helicopters during the 1982 conflict, will also attend.

BBC World Affairs Correspondent Rageh Omaar reports on hopes of a new era in relations

An Argentine Embassy spokeswoman said: "He is looking forward to strengthening economic, trade and investment links, and looking to expand the bilateral horizons so that other differences can be overcome."

In 1990, Britain and Argentina re-established diplomatic links after deciding that the issue of Falklands sovereignty could be put to one side.

"We have been historically very close and this is a significant event for the friendship," she said.

"Negotiations over the South Atlantic question are not expected," said the spokeswoman, "But that does not mean it will not be raised."

However, she stressed the aim was to "build bridges for the future".

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Foreign Secretary Robin Cook will nonetheless attempt to resolve a dispute over fishing rights around the Falkland Islands during Mr Menem's visit.

The government is concerned about a bill currently before the Argentine Congress "that would purport to regulate fishing activities".

Damaging dispute

Foreign Office Minister of State Tony Lloyd said that Mr Cook has already warned Argentina's foreign minister that the bill "risked damaging cooperation on South Atlantic issues and the bilateral relationship more generally".

In a written reply to the Commons, Mr Lloyd said there could be "no doubt about the Falkland Islands Government's sole right to issue licenses to vessels that wish to fish in Falkland waters and to authorise fishing activities there".

Mr Blair took a more conciliatory line on Sunday when he told an Argentine newspaper: "The Falklands issue exists, but we are not going to allow it to dominate the relationship between Britain and Argentina, because that's not good for either country, since we have a trade and business relationship."

President Menem's preparation for the visit was disrupted when he bridled at the "Sorry" headline that the Sun tabloid newspaper used above a column he had written in which he voiced regret for the conflict.

"'Sorry' is completely different to what I expressed," was his response.

Margaret Thatcher, the UK's prime minister at the time of the war, has expressed outrage that the president should be welcomed while her friend, General Augusto Pinochet, is under arrest in a London hospital.

Arms embargo

Elsewhere press coverage of the visit has been positive, and President Menem is expecting a warm welcome.

But he will also make a speech about Anglo-Argentine relations and attend the Lord Mayor of London's reception at the Banqueting House.

There is also hope that Britain will lift its arms embargo on Argentina - but Mr Blair has indicated this issue may have to wait.

President Menem's most important engagement will be his address to the Confederation of British Industries conference in Birmingham on 1 November.