Opening of Castellón airport edging nearer?

One of the main issues that Alberto Fabra, the new president of the Generalitat Valenciana, had on his desk when he took up his post was the future of Castellon Airport. The Consell through the public company Aerocas , has now made ​​the  payment of 2.8 million euros to Concesiones Aeroportuarias for the equity loan that will enable them to resume the work that had been stalled due to non-payment by the autonomous government.
It was the deputy of Tourism, Andres Martinez, speaking to reporters who announced that Fabra had told him that he had now resolved the most urgent debt with the private company that manages the facility.  For his part, the director general of Aerocas, Juan García Salas, confirmed that the payment of 2.8 million euros has now been made ​​to effect the equity loan, that should have been resolved before the end of March.
This is a new step in the complex framework that has become Castellón airport. With this transfer, the management company can now  pay the constructor, that had paralyzed the remaining work required to comply with current legislation.  These are mandatory remediation works reqiuired by EASA (the Aviation Safety Agency) to  give an opening permit. Aerocas maintain that the airport will be able to receive flights by the end of this year or early 2012.
This 2.8 million payment remedied only part of the amount that the Generalitat owes to Concesiones Aeroportuarias, bearing in mind that the global amount ascended to 22 million euros. Therefore there still remains an amount outstanding of almost 18 million euros, corresponding to the modified work, price revisions and cost overruns of the project.  Marina Albiol, the EUPV deputy , criticized the 2.8 million euros payment to Concesiones Aeroportuarias. She warned that the whim of Carlos Fabra could end up like  Ciudad Real  airport, deserted .  She also asked the President of the Generalitat, Alberto Fabra, to ponder if it is really necessary to assume payments like this in a time of crisis.”
The tourism sector of  Castellón has all it’s hopes deposited in the launch of the airport before the end of this year  in order to increase the number of foreign tourists in 2012 . The president of the Ashotur (Provincial Association of Employers of Hospitality and Tourism Castellón), Carlos Escorihuela, described as “excellent” news that the Consell has paid part of the debt that unlocks the remaining works of the airport.  He noted that the commissioning of the facilities is essential to design next year’s tourism campaign.  The tourism sector is concerned about the consequences of any further delay in opening the airport could affect the tourism campaign in 2012 and the customer base that is trying to build for the new airport. In addition to what the setback that could mean for Aerocas, the tourism industry fears that the delay may also affect its strategy of attracting tourists and the reputation of Castellón as a tourist destination in an increasingly competitive market. In fact, the Chamber of Commerce Castellón Airport Forum has now been created to bring together the hoteliers and plan for next year’s tourism campaign. The forum aims to unite efforts for the existing tourism offer, coordinate relations with management and collaboration in the commercial management of the airport.

EC allows Spain to curb Romanians’ access to jobs

The European Commission on Thursday decided to make an exception to its full free movement rules among member states and allow Spain to temporarily restrict Romanian workers from seeking jobs in the country.

“This decision has been taken because of the very specific employment situation in Spain,” EU Employment Commissioner Laszlo Andor said in a statement. “The Commission understands why, at this particular juncture – because of the dramatic employment situation and the very complex financial environment – the Spanish authorities wish to step back from full free movement.”

Under the agreement, Spain can keep Romanians from entering the country until December 31, 2012 and must inform the EC about the progress in imposing such restrictions. The new rules would only affect Romanians coming to Spain to look for jobs without having prior contracts. It will not affect those living in Spain who are registered with and paying into the social security system. The Labor Ministry explained it would also not affect Romanians who just want to visit Spain – only those who come to seek employment.

Diana Diru, a Romanian business community leader in Spain, lamented the decision by Brussels because it only singles out people from her country.

“They are blaming us for high unemployment,” she said.

Since Romania joined the EU in 2007, Romanians have become the largest minority group in Spain, surpassing Moroccans and Ecuadorians. According to the National Institute of Statistics, there are 864,278 Romanians living in Spain, making up 15 percent of all migrants in the country.

via EC allows Spain to curb Romanians’ access to jobs · ELPAÍS.com in English.

Horchata

Horchata with fartons

Now the hot weather is here it’s time to enjoy a glass of horchata.  Horchata is a cool, cream-coloured drink, which tastes like a sweet, nutty milk. It is served ice cold as a natural refreshment in the summer often with fartons – elongated, light pastries dusted with sugar – to dip in the refreshment.

It is made from tigernuts, water and sugar and is therefore perfect for vegetarians, vegans and people with nut alergies.  Tigernut horchata is also used in place of milk by the lactose intolerant.

The fertile fields of Valencia have been home to its cultivation since the presence of the Muslims (from the 8th to 13th century).

Indicted Camps to get an assistant and a driver, paid with public funds

Francisco Camps, the former Valencia premier who resigned after he was indicted on corruption charges, will get a chauffer, two bodyguards and an assistant paid for with public money.

On Monday, the Valencia government’s official gazette (DOCV) published the administrative order, which names Camps’ former secretary Susana Fayos Cabañero as his new assistant.

“It is not that he asked for them, it is what the law provides,” said Serafín Castellano, chief of staff to Valencia’s new premier Alberto Fabra.

Camps, who is scheduled to go to trial in the fall for allegedly accepting dress suits and other gifts from businessmen in the corrupt Gürtel network, will also take a seat on the region’s judicial council (CJC), the legal advisor to parliament. Some have questioned whether Camps could hold his seat in parliament as a PP deputy and sit on the CJC, but council sources said that the two positions are compatible.

Antonio Hernando, deputy campaign manager for the Socialists, said that it was “an embarrassment” and “a joke” to allow someone who is going to trial on criminal charges to become a legal advisor. Camps is currently free on 55,000 euro bail.

In a related issue, another Gürtel case defendant, Antoine Sánchez, said he is readying to seek a plea bargain. Sánchez is cousin to Gürtel mastermind Francisco Correa and allegedly was part of the cover-up of the multi-million-euro kickback ring.

via Indicted Camps to get driver, assistant paid with public funds · ELPAÍS.com in English.