Raul Acosta, the spokesperson, disapproves of the “Cainite” disputes between islands and advocates for compensatory actions for the ‘green islands’
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 13th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
The representative of the Mixed Group (AHI), Raul Acosta, supported the “outstanding” conduct of the people of El Hierro towards the migrants arriving on the island, while also warning that the island is not the EU’s “back entrance”, but rather its “front line”.
During the second day of the ‘Nationality State Debate’, he highlighted the “sensitivity, empathy, and respect” displayed by the people of El Hierro in recognising that many individuals are knocking on the archipelago’s door because their lives are in peril.
He mentioned that Canarians understand what it means to “cross the sea in search of opportunities” with minimal belongings, expressing his pride in being from El Hierro and gratitude towards the NGOs and rescue teams for their efforts in saving lives.
Along similar lines, he insisted that the EU needs to provide a “suitable response to prevent thousands of deaths” at sea. Simultaneously, he urged the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, to explicitly support the island with an economic and tourism development plan that compensates economic sectors and enhances the island’s global image.
He stressed that the prosperity of the Canary Islands is interconnected with the development of the individual islands. In this regard, he lamented the lack of solidarity between islands, underlining the specific needs of the ‘green islands’, such as high fuel costs, distinct from those of the capital or Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
He emphasised the necessity for the Canary Islands to stand united and reject the belief that certain measures are “privileges”, advocating, for instance, for train services on the capital islands or aid to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura due to the decline in tourism during the pandemic. “Let’s not rebuild walls among islands,” he urged.
Acosta cautioned about an emerging “new world order” with growing tensions around the archipelago driving migratory flows, exacerbated by strained diplomatic relations with Morocco and Western Sahara.
He denounced the entrenched positions and increasing tension, noting their detrimental impact on institutions and democracy. These confrontations are escalating amidst the corruption scandals that have surfaced during the pandemic.
The El Hierro representative questioned why the law is not amended to mandate the relocation of migrant minors between autonomous communities and proposed the design of an amnesty law. He also called for the Canary Islands to adopt a unified stance to avoid appearing “vulnerable” in discussions regarding the reform of the regional funding system.
He drew attention to the population surge in the Canary Islands in the 21st century and the diminishing agricultural land, pointing out the high ratio of inhabitants per vehicle. He highlighted the declining quality of life compared to a quarter-century ago, emphasising the divergence from the national and European averages.
LINGERING CONCERNS YET TO BE ADDRESSED
He noted that issues such as housing shortages, lengthy healthcare waitlists, and underdeveloped renewable energy sources are still unresolved and overlooked, categorising them as pending concerns. He commended the emergency declarations regarding housing or energy.
Acosta acknowledged AHI’s efforts to enhance visibility during this legislative period and, aligned with ASG, advocated for specific solutions without resorting to divisive discourses pitting islands against each other. “Equal islands, equal citizens,” he stated.
In his view, the Government is moving in the right direction, hoping for enhancements in educational facilities, infrastructure, and the La Restinga port on El Hierro.
He criticised the procrastination of the El Hierro Council in positioning the island at the forefront of renewable energy, especially after pioneering initiatives like the Gorona del Viento hydroelectric plant, failing to harness geothermal energy from the Tagoro underwater volcano.
Therefore, he urged the authorities to spearhead an initiative to prevent the island from missing out on this energy resource.
