SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, January 25. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Canarian Coalition (CC) deputy, Cristina Valido, has called on the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, to confront without hesitation the potential withdrawal of the European Agency of the Border and Coast Guard (Frontex) from the task of monitoring the Atlantic migratory route to the archipelago, describing it as a threat situation for the Canary Islands.
Facing the suspension of Frontex’s actions due to Spain’s rejection of the agency’s planned operations for 2024, Valido insists that Minister Torres must act promptly to resolve the risk of Frontex abandoning its operations in Canary Islands waters.
The nationalists highlight that the Spanish government’s reluctance towards Frontex’s operational plans has led to the threat of the agency’s withdrawal, which was established in 2004 to assist EU Member States and the Schengen area countries in protecting the external borders of the EU’s free movement area.
Valido criticizes the risk the Spanish government poses to the work of Frontex and its teams of professionals when their role is increasingly vital, particularly in border territories like the Canary Islands, known for being one of the most perilous migratory routes in the entire EU.
She emphasizes that Frontex, as a European agency, is funded by EU countries’ budgets and financial contributions from Schengen associated countries.
Valido condemns the lack of attention to such a crucial matter for the Canary Islands, expressing disappointment at the absence of analysis and discussion of the threat of Frontex’s departure with parliamentary groups in the Congress of Deputies or the Senate.
Fearing severe consequences on maritime border surveillance and migrant lives in the Atlantic route, Valido has raised a parliamentary question to the Minister of the Interior regarding the measures the Spanish government plans to take to renew joint operations against irregular immigration.
ACTIONS FOR SUSTAINING OPERATIONS
Valido stresses the necessity for the Interior Ministry to clarify the measures intended to ensure Frontex’s continued and reinforced presence in the Canary Islands, warning of the risk of leaving the borders at the mercy of events, while reiterating the urgency for the State and the EU to recognize the escalating Atlantic route’s gravity.
The deputy underscores that these concerns are based on official EU statistics reflecting an unbearable mortality rate in sea rescue situations.
Noting Spain’s delayed collaboration agreement renewal with Frontex in the EU, Valido urges for all necessary efforts to enhance sea surveillance and prevent tragic incidents involving migrant vessels.
She emphasizes the urgency, citing that within the first three weeks of 2024, approximately 4,000 people have already been rescued along the Canary Islands route, underscoring the critical need for immediate action.
