New president's office minister pays official visit to Formentera

Visita Pilar CostaThis morning in the plenary hall of the Formentera Council, President Jaume Ferrer met with the newly-appointed minister of the president's office of the Govern Balear, Pilar Costa. CiF councillors Susana Labrador, of the Office of Culture and Patrimony, Alejandra Ferrer, of the Office of Land Use and Tourism, and Sònia Cardona, of the Office of Community Involvement, were also at the meeting. In addition, the officials were joined by the chair  of the Govern Balear Office of Institutional Relations and Exterior Action, Margalida Font. President Ferrer seized the opportunity to thank the minister for her first official visit to Formentera.

The site of Formentera's ferry landing in the Eivissa port was one of the main topics of discussion at the meeting. According to the CiF president, the administration had asked the Govern Balear to get involved to help the parties “reach a solution mindful of the needs of Formentera”. The regional minister, for her part, spoke of conversations she has had since taking office a month and a half ago. She affirmed her belief that a consensus is possible, pointing to assurances received from all sides “that an agreement on this can be reached.”

The officials also used the meeting to discuss a new law on the island councils. In President Ferrer's words, what is needed is “flexibility”. “Formentera is the island with the most at stake with this law,” he maintained, pointing to the fact that the legislation was produced at a time when the Formentera Council didn't yet exist. Minister Costa made assurances that Formentera would play a direct role in the law's drafting.

Minister Costa made assurances that the final version of the law, expected soon, would be marked by direct participation from Formentera representatives. The officials also spoke about the importance of transferring tourism promotions jurisdiction to the island councils. Lastly, the CiF president asked Minister Costa to push for the signing —either in Palma or Madrid— of a new roads agreement, which would allow for improvements on Formentera's roadways.