Pedro Sanchez’s government is ready to set up a command centre to coordinate Spain’s response to the migrant wave, TheLocal reported on Monday. Prime minister’s announcement partially became a response to the EU’s migrant crisis, the new centre would be staffed by security forces and emergency services personnel.
PM Sanchez said that €30 million planned to be spent by the end of the year on the action plan to boost the number of centres available in migrant reception hubs. With such a government financial support, the quality of assistance offered to migrants will definitely be improved, assured Mr Sanchez. During a weekly cabinet meeting on Friday, PM said:
“The timely transmission of information” should make it possible “to cooperate better to prevent the departure of boats from the countries of origin and prevent the impromptu arrival of boats in Spain,”
Spanish Prime Minister told.
In a joint statement the European Commission and Spain “underlined the importance of an enhanced partnership with Morocco and the need to intensify European support and cooperation with Morocco on migration.”
Spain, EU cooperate to find a solution for migrants influx
This year, Spain has overtaken Italy this year as the destination of choice for migrants seeking a better life in Europe with a crackdown by Libyan authorities making it more difficult for them to reach Italian shores. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 23,000 people have arrived by sea so far with 307 dying.
Meanwhile, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker’s letter to Pedro Sanchez on July 26 doubts all these efforts. Since several member states have not paid their contribution to an EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa from where the money will come from.
PM Sanchez’s government would also step up its talks with Morocco, from where traffickers take the migrants across the Mediterranean, saying the country is “key for the management and control of migratory flows”. This includes the “speedy delivery” of a €55 million Border Management Programme approved for Morocco and Tunisia, the joint statement the EC and Spain added.
