SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 25 May. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, highlighted this Wednesday that the beginning of a new stage of diplomatic relations between Spain and Morocco opens up opportunities for the Canary Islands to consolidate itself as a “platform” for the European Union in Africa.
In a joint press conference with the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Ángel Víctor Torres, on the occasion of a visit to the archipelago, he pointed out that this new stage is “based on dialogue, mutual respect and the absence of unilateral actions” and allows ” explore”, for example, the recovery of the maritime connection between the Canary Islands and Morocco, commercial trips or collaboration to help reduce the number of departures of small boats “and put an end to the scourge of the mafias and unacceptable deaths”.
In addition, it has been advanced that after 15 years the working group on maritime spaces will meet to try to set the delimitation of the waters and “working within” what is established by International Law and the 1982 Convention on the Rights of the Sea.
Albares, who has confirmed the presence of representatives of the Canary Islands at the meeting, has not yet advanced dates.
He has also said that there are four African countries that are strategic for the Canary Islands, such as Cape Verde, Senegal, Mauritania and Morocco, and with a strategy to achieve commercial and economic development that must go “in step” with that of the State.
Thus, he has insisted that the main objectives go through innovation, training, and trade, which is why teams from both departments will have a joint meeting in June to try to project the foreign action of the islands.
The minister has also stressed his desire that Macaronesia “regain vitality” and relaunch itself with the Canary Islands “in the center” and that the EU make an “effort” to strengthen the borders in southern Europe and achieve a migration pact “in solidarity with the points of first entry” such as the Canary Islands.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE ORS AND THE EU
He has also commented that there is going to be a joint event with the central government to promote the sustainable agenda of the Canary Islands and that “it has a presence in Africa” and has appealed to “take advantage” of the fact that the presidency of the ORs by the Canary Islands will coincide in the second half of the year with the Spanish presidency of the EU.
In this sense, he has shown his support for the Canary Islands to be the headquarters of the European Tourism Agency. “He has plenty of merit and I’m not going to spare any effort,” she said.
Torres agreed with the minister that it is good “to have the best possible relations” with Morocco and in this “normal” scenario, he has indicated that he is preparing a trip to the North African country following the “tradition” of all the Canarian presidents and that he hopes have closed in early fall.
The Canarian president has also highlighted the “sensitivity” of the central government with the Canary Islands and the relationship with the EU, underlining the maintenance of the Posei for the primary sector of La Palma in 2021, the support to achieve the exemption of the ‘green tax’ to inter-island transport and with the Peninsula until 2030 or that the Canary Islands host the conference of ministers of digital economy of the OECD this year.
