Any progressive discussion on migration between Spain and the European Union in general must take into account socioeconomic challenges facing The Gambia and other African countries as a whole, President Adama Barrow said on Thursday.
President Barrow made the remark during a courtesy call on him by Spain’s Minister of Interior, Grandea Marlaska Gomez at the State House in Banjul.
The minister and other Spanish officials are in Banjul to discuss bilateral relations with his Gambian counterpart, Minister of Interior Ebrima Mballow.
President Barrow said cooperation with European partners must include development strategies focused on building capacities to empower youths as well as strengthen the national economy for jobs creation in order to reduce the exodus of youths and the risks from cross-border criminal activities.
He also said that Gambia has long standing relations with the people and government of Spain, stressing that his government is committed to advancing the ties from strength to strength.
Mr. Gomez, supporting the Gambian leader’s position on the migration debate, said: “We agreed that security should not be our only area of consideration… other social and economic areas are equally important to security. If we want to get a peaceful relation between Europe and Africa, we have to get into development.”
He added that Spain and The Gambia are going to work to improve the human resource base of Gambians, particularly security outfits in the area of civil protection, among others.
He said that fighting irregular migration networks is a common concern for both countries, and so are transnational criminal organisations such as narcotic networks.
“Everyone has the right to live anywhere they want. People should also be given the opportunity to live where they want. Spain and The Gambia have to work together to be in equal partnership,” Mr. Gomez added.