SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 30 July (EUROPA PRESS) –
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, has expressed disappointment that the Council of Ministers did not include in the agenda the decree law for the reception of migrant minors by all autonomous communities. However, he remains hopeful that the Government will hold discussions with the Popular Party in the coming days to reach an agreement that can address what he predicts to be a “dramatic” situation this summer.
This statement was made prior to the meeting of the Canary Islands Immigration Forum, where the President of the Canary Islands Executive, along with the Vice President and the Minister of Social Welfare, outlined the critical situation the autonomous community is facing. They highlighted the challenge of accommodating over 5,600 unaccompanied migrants and the potential crisis that could unfold in the upcoming weeks and months.
Fernando Clavijo has warned that all indications suggest that this summer “will be the same or even worse than last year”. The purpose of this Forum is to coordinate all stakeholders involved in addressing this structural challenge. This is due to the inability to pass a bill that would make it mandatory for autonomous communities to accept migrant minors, with the decree law requested by the Canary Islands Government not being included in today’s Council of Ministers agenda.
Clavijo pointed out that NGOs have almost no capacity to accommodate more children, leading to the necessity to set up tents on islands like Lanzarote to cater for the minors arriving on the shores. “In the meantime, we will continue to collaborate with the Spanish Government to find a solution,” stated Clavijo, expressing hope that the Council of Ministers would announce specific measures today to address the situation, be it financial resources or the use of military installations.
The Canarian president is optimistic that an agreement can be reached between the Government and the PP on a decree law that could be approved in an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting and subsequently ratified in Congress. “This is the only thing that would provide a solution this summer. Any other alternative will not suffice. It is a matter of determination. There is a draft text agreed upon; now it’s about sitting down and finalizing it, as is customary in negotiations. Once this text is agreed upon, a decree law can be enacted with all necessary ratifications,” he explained.
“I trust that the recent events in Congress will serve to make us conscious of the impending crisis; otherwise, the situation will be dire for the children, and the international perception of us will be greatly affected,” cautioned Clavijo. He acknowledged the willingness of the PP to negotiate an agreement with the Government.
Fernando Clavijo expressed his sorrow at witnessing how everyone sympathizes with the dire situation in the Canary Islands but when it comes down to it, there are no financial commitments or a backup plan on the table. Therefore, “we, as Canarians, have to continue bearing the responsibility, looking after the children despite the circumstances, with an exceptional level of compassion and empathy, and at the significant economic cost being shouldered by the Canarian public coffers.”
