LA LAGUNA (TENERIFE), 2 (EUROPA PRESS)
The president of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, declared on Monday that next Thursday a tripartite meeting will take place with the central government and the PP to attempt to resolve the reform of the immigration legislation and allow for the mandatory transfer of migrant minors to other autonomous communities.
In comments to the press, he admitted that the specific time is yet to be determined and expressed his “optimism” about finalising a proposal to present at the Conference of Presidents on December 13. In regard to the Canary Islands, a unanimous position has already been established, apart from Vox, as per the agreement in the ‘Canarian Pact for Immigration’.
Clavijo did not overlook the fact that the Canary Islands “continues to confront this migration phenomenon alone,” particularly when he highlighted that there were no specific discussions regarding the islands during the PSOE federal congress this past weekend. He noted that this year has seen an unprecedented level of immigrant arrivals by sea, surpassing the “record year” of 2023.
He further reminded that this year marks three decades since the first boat arrived in the archipelago, specifically on the island of Fuerteventura, and there remains “no answer” to the demands from the Canary Islands.
“We can expect a response this week, and if not, as I have stated, on the 13th, during the Conference of Presidents, the Canary Islands will present its proposal with a broad political consensus. We would prefer unanimity, but we are aware that Vox and the far right hold opposing views. Nonetheless, the reality is that the majority of the Canary Islands will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and present a concrete proposal at that Conference attended by all regional presidents and the president,” he elaborated.
In response to the criticisms regarding the food provided at the migrant camp in Las Raíces (Tenerife), a service contracted to the company Plataforma Fermar – which has faced fines in the Community of Madrid for its operations in facilities for the elderly, minors, and schools – he stated that this falls under the jurisdiction of the central government and lamented that “the oversight has failed.”
“We are certainly not the authorities in this matter; it is the responsibility of the State administration, the Government delegation, the Ministry of the Interior, and Migration who must answer because the oversight did not indicate what was occurring despite numerous complaints. We have obviously communicated this to the Government of Spain, as we must, because these individuals are escaping hunger, death, and poverty; they come to the developed world and it seems unreasonable to us for such situations to arise, which we deeply regret,” he indicated.
