President Pradales: “Today opens the door to a new era of cooperation between the Basque Country and France”
- Pradales urges member states to back the Atlantic Macro-region at the European Council
President of the Basque Country Imanol Pradales held a landmark meeting this morning in Paris with the French Minister of State for the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud. This encounter marks a historic milestone, being the first meeting between a President and a French Government Minister in thirty years. "Today opens the door to a new era of relations, and a new framework of cooperation where the Basque Country can propose projects of common interest," President Pradales stated after the meeting.
Imanol Pradales conveyed to Minister Chabaud the importance of maintaining close coordination between the two governments. He underlined the Basque Country's commitment to the Atlantic Macro-region and stressed the importance of "avoiding isolation on the periphery of Europe". In this respect, he advocated for the Atlantic Macro-region to be formally recognized by member states within the European Council. "This meeting demonstrates French commitment," he stressed, adding that "we are on the right track to achieve this objective".
The President highlighted the value of this bilateral meeting with the French Minister of State for the Sea and Fisheries because, as the first such engagement in 31 years, it carries significant weight. "This holds inherent political value; it establishes a new relational space where the Basque Country can propose projects of mutual interest. "The meeting we held today is crucial," stressed Imanol Pradales, serving as a starting point to sustain relations between the Basque Country and France.
The meeting forms part of the institutional agenda Pradales is undertaking in the French capital, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with France in strategic areas for the Basque Country. Discussions focused heavily on fisheries, sustainable management of marine resources, and associated EU policies, coming at a key moment for the sector and cross-border relations.
