SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 3 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The President of the Canary Islands Government and Secretary General of Coalición Canaria (CC), Fernando Clavijo, acknowledged on Tuesday that there is an “internal discussion” within his party regarding support for the central government due to the “failure to meet” the ‘Canarian agenda’.
“This is an issue for the party that must be deliberated and resolved based on how circumstances unfold by the end of the year,” he stated in comments to journalists, reiterating that unaccompanied migrant minors are not left “vulnerable,” despite leaving that duty to the State.
The president clarified that it is the State that rescues minors at sea and subsequently transfers them to the Canary Islands, where they are ‘registered’ by immigration services “in that manner,” which he remarked is “not the appropriate way” to handle the situation.
Nevertheless, he clarified that the minors will receive “instant assistance” whether in tents, pavilions, or housing provisions; however, “that is not the proper way to look after a minor,” as they require education, language acquisition, and a “life plan.” “We are entirely incapable of providing that,” he remarked.
Clavijo emphasized that the minors “will have shelter, they will be provided with food,” yet he questioned if their rights can be safeguarded because, at present, the Canary Islands cannot manage with its resources “overstretched.” “We have been stating this for a year,” he underlined.
He expressed regret that only “empty promises” have been received from the archipelago, while ultimately, the Canary Islands are “left to manage reception efforts alone.”
“We are anxious that the protocols are adhered to, the protocols that the State itself authorised in 2014 and the directives from the Prosecutor’s Office, as they ensure the identification and transfer of the minor,” he underscored.
He has hence advocated for the legal route that his Government intends to pursue because the Canary Islands are “contributing their fair share” in what was regarded as “extraordinary,” and now the central Executive is attempting to normalise.
“We will not be part of this situation, where minors are not guaranteed their rights,” he added.
The president highlighted that despite the Government’s new stance, the ‘Canarian Pact for Immigration’ remains intact, albeit with Vox excluded.
“No one indicated that the pact would be dissolved, nor did any political party signal that it was withdrawing from this agreement,” he asserted, clarifying that “the Canary Islands cannot endure all the migratory pressure from southern Europe independently.”
Concerning the decision of the Council of Ministers to allocate €35 million to the autonomous communities that host migrant minors – with the Canary Islands receiving €15 million – he remarked that this is “clearly inadequate,” given that this year the islands, with over 5,200 minors under guardianship, have incurred expenses of around €160 million.
For Clavijo, this funding is welcomed “if it is merely the initial instalment” of an agreement to cover the most urgent expenses and if it has at least been initiated as a response following the Canary Islands’ “no” to the reception of minors.
