The meeting held this Friday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife represents a significant first step in the Government of the Canary Islands' demand, led by Fernando Clavijo, to have a say and vote in strategic decisions affecting its airport infrastructure. This encounter opens the door to a negotiation process expected to be lengthy, but which both parties approach with optimism.
“"There is a willingness to reach an agreement. We are confident that at the end of the negotiations we will be better off than we are now."
Although no definitive model or the extent of Canarian participation was specified, the central government has formally agreed to initiate a technical and legal debate. The Ministry of Transport, under the direction of Óscar Puente, will commit to sending a document to Pablo Rodríguez's department in the coming weeks, which will serve as the basis for future discussions.
This rapprochement contrasts with the institutional tension of recent weeks, exacerbated after the airport co-management agreement reached with the Basque Country. Canarias had invoked Article 161 of its Statute of Autonomy to demand similar treatment, with President Clavijo even calling for the dismissal of Aena's president, Maurici Lucena, on April 9.
“"Today we have paved the way, and from now on, airport co-management is on the agenda of both governments, with the aim of starting to work and make progress."
In addition to airport co-management, the technical commission addressed other relevant issues, such as the Canarian claim regarding fiscal control of Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF) incentives and the request to extend the execution period for European funds allocated to energy transition. For these matters, the autonomous Executive awaits a formal response from the relevant ministries.
