Canary Islands and Spanish border territories demand voice in EU migration policy

Authorities and representatives from the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla are demanding a direct voice in European Union migration policies. They argue that as the EU's external borders, these territories bear the brunt of migration management decisions made in Brussels and Madrid without their direct involvement.

Canary Islands officials have criticized the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, stating that while decisions are centralized, the obligations are decentralized. They have called for the regionalization of EU funds to better manage migration realities on the ground. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the triage process for unaccompanied minors, a matter currently under the jurisdiction of the Spanish State.

Cristina Valido, a spokesperson for Coalición Canaria, warned in the Spanish Congress that the EU's current approach risks turning these border territories into large-scale detention centers. She further noted a perceived disparity in the effort deployed by the EU to secure its southern borders compared to its northern and eastern frontiers.