The Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory asserts that responsibilities lie with the autonomous regions and urges an end to the “tension”.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 4 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Ángel Víctor Torres, the Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, expressed on Wednesday that “the public is weary” of the ongoing migration discussions regarding unaccompanied migrant minors. Consequently, he has requested an end to the “tension” and a return to the “path of dialogue” rather than descending into a “legal dispute” with the Canarian Government, which could be “lengthy” and unpredictable in its outcome.
Speaking to the media following a visit to renovation projects at the Masonic Temple in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, he once more extended an olive branch to those political parties that did not support the reform of immigration legislation, particularly the PP.
He highlighted that efforts have been made throughout August to alleviate the situation, acknowledging that “it’s not straightforward” since each autonomous community has its own management and reception methodology, with noticeable variances in how local authorities handle unaccompanied minors.
Torres confirmed a meeting took place with the PP on August 12th, as revealed by the PP spokesperson, Miguel Tellado, where they asked for an analysis of the resources available in each community, a task currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Children, which “is not simple.”
“Thus, while work continues, I believe we cannot reach a point of fracture, tension, and political strife,” he stated.
He emphasised that the duty of caring for unaccompanied migrant minors rests with the autonomous communities: “Any administration is entitled to pursue legal avenues if it feels it necessary, whether it be the Constitutional Court or another body, but I must also highlight that this responsibility lies with the autonomous communities. If that were not the case, why amend the law? If the belief is that this duty falls to the State, then altering the law serves no purpose.”
Nevertheless, he pointed out that the Spanish Government “is engaged in seeking solutions to the situation in the Canary Islands” as its centres are “overwhelmed,” with the rights of minors at stake regarding “not being overcrowded, receiving an education, and gaining training.”
A “CYCLICAL” PHENOMENON
The minister specified that the migration issue is “cyclical,” highlighting that in 2019 and 2020, for instance, the Canary Islands lacked open facilities “for either adults or minors” due to changes in transit, with arrivals to Europe occurring via the Strait of Gibraltar.
Today, however, “we possess infrastructure in the Canary Islands through the Canary Islands Plan for adults, and we have facilities in other regions funded by Europe,” he stressed, pointing out that the adult network, which falls under State responsibility, “is functioning.”
“The challenge lies with the minors,” he acknowledged, which is why he maintains the Government’s “readiness” to continue working on reforming immigration laws to make transfers between autonomous communities mandatory when the centres reach capacity.
He also reminded that Bildu, PNV, and ERC supported the motion for consideration, whilst the PP opposed it, something he found puzzling given the opportunity to enhance the text during the legislative process.
“However, there is a plan to revise the bill, and thus our focus should be on crafting the best possible text for final approval,” he concluded.