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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EDITION 640
FRIDAY 6th DECEMBER TO THURSDAY 19th DECEMBER 2019 MOVIES AT ...
EATING OUT & ABOUT
PAGES PA 25 - 27
FORTNIGHTLY SUPPLEMENT NT
Your dining experience aroundd our o restaurants
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PAGES 39 -48
guide
STOP THIS CONSTANT STREAM OF ILLEGAL BOAT ARRIVALS FROM AFRICA!
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HE Canary Islands are pressing for more border controls in the face of a constant new stream of arrivals of illegal immigrants to the beaches of the archipelago. A formal request has been made to the Spanish Government to ask the African countries at source to introduce new policies and tighten up security. Canary Executive spokesman, Julio Pérez (PSOE) said the checks put in place “in the bad years of immigration” have decreased which has surprised all the bodies involved who have to deal with the constant arrival of small boats to the Canaries. Over the last fortnight, there have been arrivals virtually every day. The government spokesman said border control is a competence of the State, which is why he has demanded that Spain “intensifies and activates the policies of action at source”. He has also advocated joint patrols with the police of African countries and the continued presence of representatives of the Spanish Government in those countries. As for the origin of the people who have arrived in the Canar y Islands, he has detailed that the percentage of Maghreb has increased with respect to the Subharians. In 2017, 80 Maghreb and 107 sub-Saharan people arrived in the Canary Islands, in 2018 the Maghreb became 643 compared to 159 subSaharan; and so far this year 2019, 648 Maghreb and 675 Subharians have arrived. This increase in the number of people from the Maghreb is due, according to Julio Pérez, to the fact that the border control device of the Spanish Government has lowered its intensity and, at the same time, more means have been put in the Mediterranean, where 50% of migratory movements have been cut. Unfortunately, it has meant illegal immigrants using another route instead ie towards the Canaries. The government spokesman has reported that from Januar y 1st, 2019 until November 26th, a total of 1,546 people have arrived in the
Canary Islands in boats from Africa, 262 of them minors. In addition 13 have died in the attempt. Of the total number of people who have arrived in the Canary Islands by this route, if the number of deceased persons is eliminated and of the minors who by law have the right to stay on the islands, “just over ” 50% will be returned to their countries of origin. According to the Statute of Autonomy, he recalled that it is the responsibility of the Government to provide care to people who arrive in the Canary Islands from Africa in pateras, just as other people who need it are cared for. He has also asked for thoughts to turn to housing the immigrants in specific places as they “cannot be wandering the streets.”
New roadmap pledged for Puerto’s port
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ENERIFE Cabildo intends to resume the processing of the port of Puerto de la Cruz and wants to work together with the rest of the administrations to create a project to serve tourists, commerce and passenger transport. The insular government says a “roadmap” signed on April 12th, 2016, by Puerto council and the Cabildo had been “breached technically and administratively almost since its inception” and many studies were missing. Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Javier Rodríguez said the new roadmap was realistic and would meet real deadlines to resume a process that had become obsolete. Reports missing include an environmental impact study which would look at various
issues, such as protection of some protected marine species. It would also be necessary to study the population of cetaceans and sea turtles off the coast of Puerto de la Cruz and to do an environmental assessment of the beach between Puerto and Playa Jardín. An economic-financial feasibility study and economic sustainability report of the port and maritime park must also also be carried out. All these procedures, deadlines and budgets far exceed what was established in the 2016 roadmap.
CANARIES TO FACE ANY SLOWDOWN “HEAD ON”
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HE Canary Islands are to face the prospect of another global recession head on and will aim to provide better and different services for the tourists rather than trying to attract even more holidaymakers.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Yaiza Castilla says they have virtually given up the fight to compete against the resurgent markets such as Tunisia and Egypt in terms of price and are concentrating their efforts on making their own product the best possible. She made it clear in a parliamentary committee that the objectives of her department for the tourist sector was not for growth but for development. Detailing objectives, plans and strategies for the next four years, she admitted: “We are facing a scenario of global slowdown due to international situations, which require measures and strategies that cushion their effects on our economy and that, in the medium and long term, strengthen tourism, industry and commerce.” And the Minister added: “It would be a mistake not to recognise that we start from a negative and complex situation and in which the tourism model followed so far clearly demonstrates an exhaustion. “We know that the price battle with our competitors is lost. Therefore, our path must be that of differentiation, betting on innovative products, and the improvement and conversion of the traditional ones, “ she said.