SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, September 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The parliamentary groups of PSOE, CC, PP, NC-BC, ASG and AHI have defended this Thursday the impact of the EU cohesion funds on the development of the Canary Islands and at the same time have requested greater bureaucratic simplification to execute them more agile.
In a debate table organized by the Parliament of the Canary Islands at the ‘Jornada Conecta. Canarias-Europa’, which has had the absence of Vox deputies, has also requested administrative reforms and directing funds to training, digitalization and the fight against climate change.
Raúl Acosta (AHI) has commented that cohesion policies are “structuring” in the EU because they allow the differences between partners to be reduced, further supported, in the case of the Canary Islands, by its status as an OR.
He has appreciated that the funds have been maintained despite ‘Brexit’ and that the REF has been renewed and for the next period starting in 2027, he hopes that the islands will have a “relevant” role and as a “spearhead” in the European development in Africa.
Jesús Ramos (ASG) has warned of the “paradigm change” in the EU, which has gone from a very economic vision to one that is more social and sustainable and that “takes more care of people”, especially as a result of the pandemic and the change climate.
He indicated that European funds are “very important” to unite Europe more but also to “change the economy” through science, research or sustainable development, “which is going to be the key in the future.”
He has also said that the EU “is going at two speeds”, the same as the archipelago, which is why he has demanded more investment, more “decentralization” and more public-private collaboration, and has shown his concern for the future of transport and the new ‘green’ tax burden since tickets “can become more expensive” and hamper tourism.
Esther González (NC-BC) has indicated that there has been a move from an economic union to another more oriented towards achieving a “balanced development” between territories and people, putting on the table the different characteristics of the ORs and, therefore, their need to receive cohesion funds.
He has assessed that no resources have been lost in the period 21-27 after the United Kingdom left the EU, although he has admitted that there are still weaknesses such as the small amount of funds allocated to the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
The left-wing deputy has pointed out that European funds are important “but they are not the solution to the problems” of the islands. “We do not depend on Europe to survive,” she said.
However, he commented that the management of funds “is stressed”, especially due to the invasion of Ukraine because “money is finite”, and has insisted that in the Canary Islands “we must be very attentive” to possible cuts.
CARLOS ESTER SAYS THAT A “MISTAKE” WAS MADE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION
Carlos Ester, from the Popular Group, has indicated that European funds serve to “correct inequalities” on the islands and has corroborated the “change in mentality” in the EU since the pandemic, focusing, for example, on development tourist.
He has appealed to use economic resources well and this must be done “through the productive sectors” because “an error was made” with the application of the Next Generation funds since common and specialized criteria were not established by the promoters. of projects.
Ester has commented that funds must be directed towards training and digital training to put the Canary Islands “at the same level” as the rest of the countries, while warning that the archipelago “is weak” due to its situation and its dependence on transport. , so it will suffer the impact of green taxes.
The spokesperson for the Nationalist Group, José Miguel Barragán, recalled what the Canary Islands were like “when autonomy began” and how it has changed since European funds began to be deployed, although he has warned that in comparison with the rest of Europe they have distanced the canaries on average income.
He pointed out that the first years were “successful” with the investment in infrastructure and basic needs, priorities that have now turned to other criteria, regretting that “it takes a long time” to plan projects once the funds are obtained and they “fail miserably.” in that there was no administration prepared to manage the money. “We have an aging staff and they are going to leave us,” she explained.
Barragán has pointed out that the funds are “very restricted and with enormous bureaucracy” and has asked “what are the funds for”, which in his opinion should be directed to education “and not just university”, innovation, development and research, “remove vices” in the bureaucracy and “modernize” the administration and policies to fight climate change.
He has also appealed to “remove the veil of fear” among officials “to sign” and not be brave and that the processing of many files ends up being settled in court.
VANOOSTENDE ADMITS THAT THEY ARE “GILBOURNE”
Alicia Vanoostende (PSOE) has defended “listening” from Europe to the regions, especially in the case of the ORs, which are “so different” from the continent, and although she has valued the importance of community funds, she has not ignored that they are “a gibberish and a tangle.”
He highlighted, for example, the “flexibility” of the Posei, developed to respond to the specific needs of the archipelago and adapts perfectly to all sectors and with the capacity to introduce changes.
With respect to the agricultural sector, for example, he commented that the door has been opened to increase funds to confront inflation and he has also called for achieving a “balance” between economic development and environmental protection.
Vanoostende has also asked to have a “proactive attitude” in defense of the interests of the Canary Islands.
