France, April 11 -- The Spanish government on Thursday approved a plan to relocate thousands of unaccompanied migrant minors across the country, to relieve crowded reception centres in the Canary Islands.

The reform will see the relocation of thousands of underage migrants who have been staying in cramped reception centres, mainly on the Canary Islands.

These seven islands in the Atlantic Ocean receive tens of thousands of people who have made the perilous journey from west Africa by sea to reach the European Union each year.

Authorities on the islands have repeatedly warned of unsustainable pressure on their resources, and have complained about a lack of solidarity from the rest of the country.

While Spain's central government handle...