The Spanish Government is considering the "feasibility" of the proposal to reduce the capacity of the Vitoria-Gasteiz refugee centre

The Minister for Social Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, has expressed her "commitment" to "study and make viable" the request of the Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Maider Etxebarria, to reduce the capacity of the migration centre to 200 places, according to the Government delegate in the Basque Country, Marisol Garmendia.

He explained that they are considering the proposal and that the Minister "has not, at least for the time being, rejected it"; Saiz's "commitment" is to "study the request and make it viable", he added. 

Garmendia has stressed that the work of this centre is being carried out "normally" and that "the timetable for its opening will be met". 

"Necessary" infrastructure

Garmendia admits he understands and agrees with the Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz's request. In his view, this is a "positive" proposal that takes into consideration the "necessary" infrastructure. 

"Every day we are seeing an increasing number of migrants and asylum seekers" and, as he has stressed, "it will not stop because the world in which we live is a convulsive world, so we need resources that allow these people to receive with the dignity they deserve, that have pedagogical resources, that promote training and social integration". 

The Government delegate has explained that the residence in Vitoria-Gasteiz will be a "reception and dignity zone, especially for families fleeing war." 

"There is nothing more to be seen than what is happening in Ukraine, Gaza or many African countries; and we must welcome them for their dignity, their commitment to humanity and their political commitment."