SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 17th May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, emphasised on Friday the invaluable work of the architects of the “modern, inclusive, and supportive Canary Islands of which we can proudly boast in the 21st century.”
Clavijo stated that awarding the ‘Collar of the Order of the Canary Islands’ to the top officials of the autonomous Government, the Parliament, and the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) was a partial repayment of the debt to those who have contributed to the “development and construction of the autonomous community.”
The head of the Canary Islands Executive, during the ceremony honouring this “well-deserved recognition,” the highest distinction bestowed by the Government, expressed gratitude to the “founders and creators of the Canary Islands” for their “tireless efforts and immense contribution to unifying a distant and fragmented land that has successfully progressed despite numerous challenges.
During his address, Fernando Clavijo also paid tribute to the deceased former presidents of the Government – Adán Martín, Jerónimo Saavedra, and Lorenzo Olarte – whose memory and legacy “continue to resonate across all eight islands and the 88 municipalities representing their enduring influence.”
At an event held at the Presidential headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the head of the Canary Islands Executive awarded the ‘Collar of the Order of the Canary Islands’ to the highest-ranking officials of the Government, the Autonomous Chamber, and the TSJC over the past 21 years, recognising them as “naturally exceptional individuals.”
Specifically, the accolade was presented to former Presidents of the Canary Islands, Adán Martín Menis (2003-2007, posthumously), Paulino Rivero Baute (2007-2015), and Ángel Víctor Torres Pérez (2019-2023), the current president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo (2015-2019//2023); past Presidents of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Gabriel Mato Adrover (2003-2007), Antonio Castro Cordobez (2007-2015), Carolina Darias San Sebastián (2015-2019), Gustavo Matos Expósito (2019-2023), and the incumbent President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Astrid Pérez (2023).
Likewise, the Government of the Canary Islands also honoured the former Presidents of the highest judiciary body in the Autonomous Community, the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands, Antonio Castro Feliciano (2005-2013), José Ramón Navarro Miranda (2013-2014), Antonio Doreste Armas (2014-2020), and the present President, Juan Luis Lorenzo Bragado (2021).
PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
The ‘Collar of the Order of the Canary Islands’ represents the highest honour of the Government, acknowledging “the outstanding services rendered by individuals to the Canary Islands or its people,” along with their efforts towards strengthening “friendly and cooperative relations between the Canary Islands and the national and international community.”
The most recent conferral of this accolade to former office-bearers occurred in 2002, with former President Román Rodríguez leading the regional Executive.
This distinction may also be extended to individuals who “hold or have held positions in international organisations, states, autonomous communities or equivalent territorial entities, or nationalities with institutional roles similar to recipients of decorations or awards of significant international importance,” as per a statement from the Government.
The most recent posthumous award of the ‘Collar of the Order of the Canary Islands’ to a non-board member was bestowed on the former President of the Government of Spain, Adolfo Suárez, in 2014.
In addition to President Clavijo and the honourees, the Vice President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Manuel Domínguez, and the Minister of the Presidency, Public Administrations, Justice and Security, Nieves Lady Barreto, were among those participating in the ceremony for the presentation of this prestigious award held on Friday; along with the Vice-Councillor of the Presidency, Alfonso Cabello; and the Deputy Adviser of the Vice President’s Office, Eduardo Hernández.
