SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, June 16. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Deputy Minister of the Presidency of the Government of the Canary Islands, Antonio Olivera, has once again made it clear this Thursday that the Executive does not support the creation of bases in the Canary Islands or the deployment of a military fleet in the waters of the islands to reinforce security on the ‘flank sur’ but it does advocate increasing “monitoring” in the face of possible “threats” that may arise in the Sahel.
At a press conference to give an account of the agreements of the Governing Council, he pointed out that this point “is not on the table or debated” and it will be at the end of the month summit to be held in Madrid where proposals will begin to be presented and fix positions.
He has also said that within the Government there has been no internal debate on the possible deployment of NATO in southern Europe –Yes, Podemos and NC are against the militarization of the archipelago– and he specifies that the strengthening of the ‘flank sur’ has been in question since the time of the Government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and was also supported by the Rajoy Executive.
What it is about, he has indicated, is “not to establish bases” but to be “aware” through the “intelligence” systems of “the risks” that may come from North Africa and the Sahel, an “area close to the Canary Islands”.
“What matters is that the alliance is prepared and ready to act and monitor possible movements,” he stressed.
