Regional government’s ‘no oil exploration’ pledge

THE Generalitat Regional Government will not allow oil exploration off the Valencia coast.

The pledge came during a visit to Denia by Alberto Fabra and Jose Ciscar, respectively president and vice-president of the Valencian Community’s regional government.

Earlier both politicians had attended a harbour-side fish auction where they met local fishermen and listened to their problems.  As well as asking for better funding for improvements the boats and equipment, fishing industry sources revealed the politicians were also quizzed about planned oil prospection by the Scottish multinational Cairn Energy.

Questioned later by the Spanish provincial media Ciscar, who also heads the Generalitat’s Environment department, confirmed that he had told them that the local tourist and fishing industries “can be absolutely certain that the regional government is defending their interests.”

His department had spoken out against the prospection “on more than one occasion,” Ciscar declared.   

The regional and central administrations are working on plans to defend the fishing industry’s interests, he said, and also preparing an environmental impact assessment.

Denia’s mayor Ana Kringe later said that the local town hall is now collaborating with the Generalitat to establish the steps that should be taken to halt the oil exploration.