The Basque Country and Catalonia have agreed to collaborate in defending shared priorities within the European Union

• The Secretary General for International Development and Relations and Euskadi Global of the Basque Government met with the Minister for European Union and International Development and Relations of the Catalan government in Bilbao.
•  "We need to cooperate more closely to defend Europe's position in the global arena," both leaders agreed during their meeting.

The cabinet secretaries for International Development and Relations of the Basque and Catalan governments met this morning in Bilbao to exchange perspectives on the current uncertain international situation and to explore areas of collaboration in defence of shared interests.

"We need to cooperate more closely to defend Europe's position in the global arena," agreed Ander Caballero, Secretary General for International Development and Relations and Euskadi Global of the Basque Government, and Jaume Duch, Catalan Minister for European Union and International Development and Relations, during their meeting.

The Basque delegation, alongside Ander Caballero, included Mikel Anton, Director of European Relations; Javier Cortés, Director of eLankidetza; and Aitor Sotes, Basque Foreign Affairs Advisor. Meanwhile, Agustí Fernández de Losada, the Cabinet Secretary for European and Multilateral Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Catalan Government, was also present alongside Duch, as well as the head of the cabinet, Ana Maria González Montes.

Both delegations discussed shared concerns, including the configuration of supply chains in Europe amid growing protectionism. They also analysed the recommendations from the Draghi and Letta reports regarding the European outlook.

Both delegations also discussed their respective internationalisation strategies for the current term (Euskadi Global), progress in establishing Atlantic and Mediterranean macro-regions, advancements and challenges in securing co-official status for languages in the EU, as well as matters related to European industrial security and cross-border cooperation.

The discussion also highlighted the participation of sub-state entities in the creation and development of European policies and their essential role in addressing the major challenges facing Europe.

This morning's meeting in Bilbao is part of the ongoing cooperation between the two governments. During his recent official trip to Brussels, President Imanol Pradales advocated for the role the Basque Country should and could play as a key player in the European industrial renaissance.

The President presented on multiple occasions: "The Basque Country must be present wherever the interests of the Basque people are at stake. We need to be at the tables where decisions that directly affect us are made. We must engage with those responsible for these decisions, building relationships and political alliances.”