The Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) will seek to address the issue of migration not only through the fight against criminal organisations and cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination, but also «from a positive perspective», taking into account the contribution made by migrants to their host societies.
This was stated on Wednesday by the president of the European component of EuroLat, Gabriel Mato, during a press conference alongside the president of the Latin American component, Daniel Caggiani, to mark the meeting of this forum for dialogue between Europe and Latin America, held at the Canary Islands Parliament.
«The migration issue is not confined to a single region or country, but is a global one, and it must be tackled from many different angles,» said Mato, who cited, amongst other measures, the fight against human trafficking organisations and cooperation with countries of origin, transit and destination.
EuroLat: Europe should take on more responsibility for migrants
In his view, it cannot be assumed that migrants will arrive in a specific territory and that it is «that country or that region» which must bear the burden of receiving them alone.
Mato said that Europe «could do more», including through Frontex, but stressed that EuroLat also wants to analyse the immigration needs of Spain and other countries and regions «from a positive perspective».
The Assembly also plans to hold a meeting with representatives of civil society in order to incorporate their experiences of migration into the parliamentary debate, a phenomenon whose management, as Mato pointed out, the Canary Islands «know well».
Security and trade expand the EuroLat agenda
Security is another topic on the agenda for the meeting, particularly bi-regional cooperation in tackling common threats and the new maritime routes used by organised crime in the Atlantic.
EuroLat also addresses issues relating to trade and the economy, including the monitoring of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur and safeguards for the most sensitive sectors; the digital partnership between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean; human rights, peace and democracy; sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity.
He went on to say that this is compounded by the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, labour rights, cultural cooperation and the protection of children online.
The Canary Islands are strengthening their role as a bridge to Latin America
Mato has argued that the choice of the Canary Islands as the venue for this meeting is due to their status as a «meeting point between two continents» and their historical, cultural and economic ties with Latin America.
«Hosting EuroLat here means placing the Canary Islands at the heart of the political dialogue between the two regions,» said the MEP, who believes the islands also have an opportunity to boost their international profile as a bridge between Europe and Latin America.
Parliamentary diplomacy is intended to counter polarisation and fragmentation
For his part, Caggiani also emphasised the role of parliamentary diplomacy in a world characterised, he said, by «polarisation and fragmentation», and highlighted the regulation of artificial intelligence, changes in the world of work, trade and investment as some of the major challenges of the coming years.
He also highlighted the historical links between the Canary Islands and Uruguay, including the involvement of families from Lanzarote in the first settlements in Montevideo.
«It is one of the places where we feel at home,» said the Uruguayan senator, who has indicated his intention for EuroLat to meet in Montevideo in 2027, following this year’s meeting in the Canary Islands, which coincides with the 20th anniversary.
The President of the Canary Islands Parliament, Astrid Pérez, has welcomed the fact that the event is taking place on the islands and has emphasised the importance of EuroLat addressing issues relating to trade, digital transformation and the consolidation of democracy.
«There is nowhere in Europe where we feel as Latin American as we do in the Canary Islands,» she concluded.
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