Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 8 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The Maritime Peripheral Regions Conference Migration Group of Europe has endorsed the Canary Islands Government’s proposal on Friday to organise a regional summit in Brussels this September, aimed at facilitating “the dialogue” between territories and the European Commission regarding immigration issues.
This gathering is intended to provide a “decentralised and tailored approach to local needs, alongside serving as a platform for the sharing of innovative successful experiences,” as outlined by the Regional Executive in a statement.
Furthermore, the Government asserts that this initiative will foster the exchange of best practices among regions with expertise in integration and immigration management, as well as encourage collaboration among governments, the private sector, and NGOs to devise solutions for migration management.
The Canarian Executive emphasises that regions are pivotal in implementing the EU Pact on migration and asylum, as they are responsible for the reception, integration, and management of migratory flows within their respective areas. Many of these regions, particularly those at borders, are part of the CRPM.
The CRPM is comprised of 160 regions from 25 Member States and non-EU nations, representing over 200 million residents.
Meetings in Brussels In the context of the discussions held this week in Brussels, a meeting in Tenerife has been scheduled for July, organised by the Citizenship, Governance and Institutional Affairs Commission (Civex) of the European Committee of the Regions.
The hosting of this forum in the Archipelago will enable the Civex to present a specific report regarding the care of unaccompanied migrants in Europe, as stated by the Government of the Canary Islands.
They note that this commission is tasked with coordinating the activities of the regions committee on constitutional and institutional matters, security and justice, covering areas such as migration and integration, fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as the external dimensions of the European Union and development cooperation from a local and regional viewpoint.
Consequently, the aim of the meeting is to “raise awareness” among the other parties represented in the committee about the “critical situation” in the Canary Islands, in addition to “seeking allies and sharing experiences” that could help address this challenge.
