At the Ajuria Enea Palace, Sánchez and Pradales talked for two hours in a climate “warm and reliable', according to sources from both governments, and which serves as an example of the 'excellent relations' between them. During the meeting, both leaders analysed the general political and economic situation, the European and international context and 'other matters of common interest'. for the benefit of Basque citizenship”, such as European funds, infrastructure, democratic recovery or the Basque language. In addition, they have their “clear desire for cooperation and joint collaboration“.
Through the social networkto promote the excellent relations that exist between the two governments“From a shared desire for cooperation and joint collaboration, we have agreed on measures to improve the lives of the people of Euskadi,” Pradales said for his part, adding that “channels for dialogue have been established to maintain good harmony. “existing” between both Executives.
Today I met the Lehendakari, @Imanol_Pradalesto promote the excellent relations between the two governments.
We discussed issues of common interest, such as European funds, infrastructure or democratic recovery.
From a shared will to… pic.twitter.com/Kd5nG5yeZO
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) July 26, 2024
To receive Pedro Sánchez at around 11:30 in the morning, the Lehendakari was waiting for him at the foot of the steps of the palace of the capital Álava, and on the flanks were Ertzainas dressed in finery. After shaking hands, the new president of the Basque government took the opportunity to show Sánchez a young Gernika tree planted in the garden. Then they went up the steps and took the official photo, and immediately afterwards entered the interior of Ajuria Enea, where gifts were exchanged. The Basque leader gave Pedro Sánchez an engraving by the Gipuzkoa artist Jose Luis Zumeta.
First meeting after Pradales' appointment
What made this meeting so remarkable is that it was also the first since the new lehendakari took office on June 22 at the Gernika Board House, after having been sworn in two days earlier in the Basque Parliament with the votes of the PNV and the PSE-EE, government partners. At the same time, this meeting continues the path started with last week's meeting with Pere Aragonés, organizing the transfer of new powers in these autonomies.
Today's meeting between Pradales and Pedro Sánchez has, in turn, an important symbolic character, as it marks the third time in history that a president of Spain goes to the official residence of the lehendakariThe first was in December 1980 when Aldolfo Suárez visited the then president of the Euskadi executive, Carlos Garaikoetexea, and the second in 2011 when José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero met Patxi López after ETA's announcement of the definitive cessation of violence.
Transfers of power
The good relations between both Executives were already reflected last Wednesday in the meeting in Madrid between Security Council member, Bing Zupiriaand the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaskain which they agreed to extend the functions of the Ertzaintza to assume the powers of public order and the protection of people and property in the ports and airports of Euskadi. In terms of order of priorities, full compliance with the Statute and the extension of Basque self-government are among the main challenges that Imanol Pradales has set himself in this term. Both issues, which were discussed today between the Lehendakari and Pedro Sánchez, are also included in the programmatic agreement of the formed Basque coalition government for him PNV and the PSE-EEThey are also commitments acquired in the PNV-PSOE investiture pact of October 2023, signed by Pedro Sánchez himself and the president of the EBB, Andoni Ortuzar.
A meeting is scheduled for July 30 between the Basque government spokesman, Maria Ubarretxenaand the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Angel Victor Torreswith the aim of establishing a permanent bilateral commission to promote pending transfers and establish a calendar for upcoming transfers. The most immediate would be the planning and management of the coastline, maritime rescue operations, meteorology, the cinematography protection fund, the authorisation for self-employed or employed work of foreigners whose employment relationship takes place in the Basque Country; and the safety and health of the National Machinery Verification Centre, located in Vizcaya.
