Success of the third cross-border conference in Bayonne
The room was packed, with more than 500 participants, personalities, experts, politicians and key witnesses gathered for one of the Basque Country’s major institutional events. One of the highlights of this day dedicated to cross-border cooperation was the opening round table, which brought together the presidents of executive bodies and the keynote speaker Alain Lamassoure, former Minister for European Affairs and the Budget, former MP and MEP, on the topic of decentralisation. An opportunity to reflect on the status of cross-border territories. Imanol Pradalès, the new President of the Basque Government, spoke for the first time at the opening of the event, marking the continuity of cross-border relations between the Basque Autonomous Community and the Basque Country Conurbation Community.
Miren Arzalluz was the guest of honour at this year’s event. A leading figure in the cultural world with an exemplary European career, she is the future director of the Guggenheim Museum.
In the afternoon, after introductory speeches by Joseba Erremundeguy, delegate councillor in charge of cross-border, European and international cooperation for the Basque Country Conurbation Community, alongside Jose Maria Aierdi, Minister for the Environment of the Government of Navarre, there were lively discussions on the question of cross-border cooperation tools for a living mountain region, in the presence of elected representatives and mountain experts who experience cross-border cooperation on a daily basis.
Finally, a final round table brought together the mayors of Bayonne, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Bilbao and the first deputy mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz to discuss the festive season, with sociologist Philippe Steiner. A fine illustration of the links uniting the capitals of this cross-border area!
Photo : Fred_de_Bailliencourt / CAPB
