“PP WILL HOLD THE DOOR OPEN TO ALL FOREIGN RESIDENTS”

FRANCESCA Bennàssar has been a driving force behind European integration in Majorca and the Balearics for many years and yesterday she told the Bulletin that she is looking forward to reviving the PP's European project which was started, with Rosa Estaràs, deputy to new Balearic leader Jaume Matas and Kate Mentink in 1995. Bennàssar, who spent eight years as a PP European MP for the Balearics and the past legislature on the opposition benches in the local parliament, is deputy to the new Mayor of Palma, Catalina Cirer. Bennàssar has been a champion of integration and yesterday said she was very pleased with both the election results and the high turn out of foreign voters. “The European community has demonstrated that it cares about where they have chosen to live in Majorca and the Balearics.
They have the right to have an opinion on how public administrations operate and how public money is spent. “In the case of Palma, the foreign community has demonstrated that Palma is a European city and a reference point for the whole of Europe,” Bennàssar said. “This has been the first time that the Europeans have played a really important part in the Balearic democratic process. We the PP encourage that and it makes me and the party extremely happy. “When I was a Euro MP I would always use the Balearics, in particular Palma, as a point of reference to fellow Euro MP's as to how Europeans can live and operate together in multi-national society. I live in San Agustin and grew up in an international community with British, French and German friends, we all developed close relationships and the foreign residents integrated very well,” she said. However, she added that, sadly, over the past four years, the left wing coalition government side lined the foreign community and created a problem that never existed, that of foreign residents, in particular the Germans, claiming they are no longer welcome in Majorca. “It's a problem that does not exist, but as nothing was done by the local authorities to counter act the claims, the situation got worse and the island's image suffered. “Just look at how many foreigners have chosen Majorca as their home, so it can't really be that bad... “The PP however wants to revive its European project, which was adopted as a pilot scheme for the European Union, and transform Palma into the best city in Europe in every aspect, with a fully integrated European community. “As far as the party is concerned, everyone is welcome in Majorca, but we also expect people to behave as we would if we went to live in a foreign country. “While we are prepared to be sensitive to the needs of the foreign community, foreign residents in turn need to be sensitive towards Majorca, its people, language, culture and customs. “The PP is holding the door wide open and will welcome new foreign residents with open arms and all the help they need, it's up to foreign residents to make that decision to come through the door and not to isolate themselves,” she said. “We, the PP, not only in Palma but also in Calvia and eventually other municipalities, want to support the foreign community, provide information and assistance which in turn will make it easier and much quicker for new residents to integrate and benefit the most from all the advantages enjoyed by the community as a whole. “Europeans have greatly enriched Majorcan society, for example many Majorcan children now attend international schools, so we can all benefit. “I for one would like to see the University open up to Europeans and European schemes and a greater level of cultural-exchanges in Palma. “In co-operation with the various consulates, associations and organisations we aim to revive the European spirit of Palma and Majorca, true to the philosophy of Ramon Llul.”