The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, have reached an agreement for the co-management of the three Basque airports through a specific bilateral body on airport matters.
“Until today, Euskadi had neither voice nor vote in airport matters. With this agreement, Euskadi will be able to start participating in the decision-making that affects Basque airports”, the Lehendakari has emphasized.
The understanding has been closed in the third meeting of the Bilateral Cooperation Commission, held this Friday in Madrid under the presidency of both leaders. In this forum, the two administrations have also sealed another six agreements linked to the process of pending transfers to culminate the Statute of Gernika, along with additional commitments aimed at strengthening public security.
In the airport sector, definitive green light has been given to the agreement on the Basque aerodromes, after the pre-agreement reached last March 16 in the Airport sub-commission in Madrid. The pact contemplates the creation of an Euskadi-State Bilateral Airport Body as a space for concurrence, participation and cooperation between both parties, which will articulate the collaboration, coordination and shared management of the airports of Bilbao, Hondarribia (Guipúzcoa) and Foronda (Álava).
According to what the Lehendakari has detailed, this new framework will allow to boost and optimize the capacities of the Basque airport network, “to influence investments and the plans that define them”, as well as to improve the connectivity and quality of service provided by the aerodromes of Euskadi.
“Until today Euskadi had neither voice nor vote in airport matters. With this agreement, Euskadi will be able to start participating in the decision-making that affects Basque airports. We continue to advance, but much remains to be done and agreed upon. And it is worth remembering, again and again, that these are competencies that belong to the Basque people by Law and referendum, and that the State continues not to comply,” he stressed, alluding to the pending development of the Statute of Gernika.
Other agreed transfers
Along with the chapter on airports, the meeting has served to close agreements on the transfer of various matters. Among them is the ICO (Official Credit Institute), with the design of a stable framework for financial cooperation between the ICO and the Basque Institute of Finance, aimed at facilitating access to business financing and supporting projects of economic and social interest.
In the scope of SMEs, the pact foresees joint actions channeled through the Basque Institute of Finance, with the objective of improving financing and supporting the development of industrial and business projects of small and medium-sized enterprises in Euskadi.
Likewise, it has been agreed the transfer to Euskadi of the management of subsidies for the contracting of combined agricultural insurance, as well as the functions of informing producers within its territorial scope.
The transfer package also includes the Fisheries Inspection, so that the effective exercise by Euskadi of the tasks of surveillance, inspection and control in interior and exterior waters is recognized, both in commercial and recreational fishing.
In the area of Private Security, it has been decided to deepen cooperation related to private security services, which will allow expanding Euskadi's capabilities in aspects such as training or professional qualification.
Lastly, in the area of traffic, and regarding the driving permits, the competence over the medical recognition centers and road re-education is transferred to Euskadi.