Spain's opposition People's Party (PP) has expressed concerns over a potential transfer of Western Sahara's airspace management from Spain to Morocco. The party argues that such a change could pose risks to the Canary Islands' air links and security. The PP plans to submit a motion at the regional parliament's next plenary session, urging the Spanish government to maintain control over the airspace through Enaire, Spain's air navigation service provider.
The PP's parliamentary group in the Canary Islands, led by David Morales, a representative from Gran Canaria, emphasizes the need for the Canary Islands to have a greater say in decisions that could affect its air links and security. The party cites aviation safety, air connectivity, Spain's military interests, and the role of the armed forces and Civil Guard in humanitarian operations linked to migration across the Atlantic as key concerns.
The motion calls on the central government to provide the Canary Islands government and parliament with immediate and continuous updates on negotiations with Morocco. It also seeks regional parliamentary approval for any potential change to airspace management, as well as the consent of relevant international bodies. The PP's position is partly based on the bilateral rapprochement between Spain and Morocco in 2022, which included talks on airspace management through a working group on aviation cooperation.
Morales argues that the Canary Islands have not had sufficient representation in the consultations, despite the possible implications for the archipelago. He has called on the Spanish government to explain the terms of its discussions with Rabat and spell out the safeguards it would put in place if management responsibilities were to change. The dispute comes amid broader debate over Spain's evolving position on Western Sahara and its relations with Morocco.
The PP's initiative seeks to place the issue under greater parliamentary scrutiny, with particular emphasis on the Canary Islands' interests. The initiative also comes amid a broader political campaign against Morocco by Spain's right and far right, fueled by a mass migration crisis in Ceuta. The PP has accused Morocco of bearing responsibility for the arrivals, which has added to tensions between the two countries.
The potential transfer of airspace management has sparked concerns over the implications for the Canary Islands and Spain's strategic interests. The PP's motion aims to ensure that the Canary Islands' concerns are taken into account and that any decision on airspace management is made with the region's interests in mind. The party's move adds another point of friction to an already tense debate over Madrid's relations with Rabat.
The Spanish government's decision on Western Sahara's airspace management is pending, with the PP's initiative seeking to influence the outcome. The issue remains a sensitive topic, with implications for Spain's relations with Morocco and the stability of the region. The Canary Islands' interests are at stake, and the PP's motion aims to ensure that their concerns are heard.
Key points
- The PP opposes the transfer of Western Sahara's airspace management to Morocco, citing risks to the Canary Islands' air links and security.
- The party seeks greater parliamentary scrutiny and regional representation in decisions on airspace management.
- The dispute is part of a broader debate over Spain's position on Western Sahara and its relations with Morocco.
