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Solbes: "Spanish Government will compensate Balearic insularity"
26-06-2008
The vice president for Economics of the Spanish Government, Pedro Solbes, has assured that the Executive will fulfil its commitments to compensate the insular fact of Balearics, which will remain reflected, as he said, in the new system of autonomous funding.Solbes did these manifestations in the plenary session of the Senate, in response to an interpellation of the senators of the mixed group Pere Torres (Ibiza) and Arturo Bagur (Menorca) on the policy of the Spanish Government as for insularity.
He made clear that the new model of funding will rely on two elements that will have repercussion in Balearic Islands, since the population will be considered in real terms. Besides, corrective elements for reasons of insularity will be included.
In addition, the Spanish Government will respect the commitment of public investment in the community, as well as the specific actions linked to the special circumstances. Those actions not only promote transport, but also sectors as energy "or other key elements to obtain this equality of treatment", said Solbes.
"These are our commitments and this it is going to be our line of action", the vice-president repeated before addressing to Senator Torres to assure him that "concerning the topic of equality of treatment of all the Spanish, we will always agree with each other".
Solbes emphasized that Spanish Government recognizes “without any doubt” the insularity. He specified that current legislation regularizes that national administrations adjust their policy relating to transport, infrastructures, telecommunications, environment, tourism and fishing, among others" to the insular plurality.
This statement was done with regard to the new funding system that, according to Solbes, will guarantee that all the citizens, independent where they reside, have equal access to the public fundamental services.
In addition, it will contribute the sufficient funding in order that the autonomies will be able to exercise their competitions, and it will incorporate corrections in order that the evolution of the population is considerated, "key element" for Balearics, according to Solbes. The new funding system will also promote the joint fiscal responsibility.
"The effective implementation of this principles has involve the attention to the insular fact of Balearics ", added the politician.
Solbes reminded some of the measures put into operation by the Spanish Government in the past legislature, as there were discounts to travellers’ and goods transport or the agreements signed between the Department of Promotion and the insular boards of Majorca and Minorca as for roads for amount of 853 million Euros, of which the central Government will contribute 586,6.
He also reminded that 25 million Euros will be destined to the by-pass of Ferreries (Minorca).
Senator Pere Torres on his part highlighted the complex reality of the Archipelago and asked that the problems resulting from insularity should be confronted immediately to avoid additional costs for Balearic citizens.
Torres indicated that the current special regime of Balearics has given "poor results ". He therefore demanded a review "to compare" the citizens of the islands with the peninsular ones.
After indicating that the insular fact of Canaries is more recognized, the senator has mentioned some of the services that present deficiencies, as those related to the Justice or the Security forces of the State. Torres trusts that the adjustment between central and autonomous governments will solve the problems.
Torres claimed a system to compensate the costs of residence and transport, as well as the participation of the community, the councils and the town halls in the management of the ports and airports.
The inhabitants of the Balearic Islands, explained Torres, get the minor funding per inhabitant of the entire Spanish state, in spite of being one of the communities that most finances the State with its contributions.
Source: mallorcadiario.com