Within the framework of the meeting of presidents of parliaments of the South of the European Union and North Africa, which is being held this Monday in Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, president of the Island Council, has highlighted "the urgency of addressing the migration crisis in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean from a comprehensive approach", inviting the participants to redouble efforts to find solutions that end the migration tragedy.
During his speech at the opening session, Betancort welcomed the attendees, highlighting the unique character of Lanzarote and La Graciosa as scenarios for dialogue and cooperation. "Our islands, shaped by volcanoes and transformed by the vision of César Manrique, remind us of the importance of integrating beauty, sustainability and humanity in all our actions," he said.
The president of the Cabildo has highlighted the enormous effort that Lanzarote and La Graciosa have made to face the arrival of migrants, particularly unaccompanied minors. In 2024, the island received 4,296 people in 84 boats, and so far in 2025, 822 people have reached the coasts in 13 boats. "We are the southern border of Europe, where hopes and challenges converge, but our remoteness cannot become synonymous with oblivion. Europe must assume its responsibility."
"Human, sustainable and fair solutions"
Betancort has remarked the necessity to reinforce the cooperation with the countries of North Africa to address the deep causes of the migration and promote the sustainable development in the regions of origin. "The solution involves guaranteeing that nobody has to abandon their home out of necessity. Thousands of people from the Canary Islands and Lanzarote emigrated in the past with the same hopes that those who arrive to our coasts bring today," he recalled.
In addition, the president from Lanzarote has taken the opportunity to highlight "the hospitality of the people from Lanzarote and the Canary Islands, while asking for a joint effort from all the European and African countries." "This challenge belongs to everyone, and only together we will be able to find human, sustainable and fair solutions," he concluded.
In this summit, which gathers parliamentary representatives from Europe and Africa, the migration routes of the Western Mediterranean and the Atlantic are being debated, as well as the conclusions of the report of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean.
The meeting, which is part of the Spanish Presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, will continue throughout the day with key sessions on migration challenges, culminating with the closing ceremony presided over by the president of the Congress of Deputies, Francina Armengol, and the president of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo.
