The Lehendakari (President of the Basque Government) Imanol Pradales received the Minister-President of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele, at the Ajuria Enea Palace to discuss new avenues of economic, industrial and technological cooperation within the framework of the European summit “Leaders Meeting – Fit for the Future”, which places the Basque Country at the center of the European industrial debate. (Autor: Mireia Ochoa)
During the meeting, both delegations addressed key issues such as strengthening diplomacy between regions and stateless nations, economic, industrial, and technological cooperation, as well as the joint role of the Basque Country and Flanders in European governance. In this context, the bilateral relationship between the two territories, established in 2015, and their shared commitment to further deepening this strategic alliance were highlighted.
Following the meeting, the President of the Basque Government emphasized the need to define a common roadmap at this crucial moment for Europe, marked by the transformation of the industrial model, decarbonization, digitalization, and the promotion of emerging sectors such as biotechnology. In this regard, he advocated for the active role of European industrial regions and nations in strengthening the continent’s competitiveness, innovation, and technological sovereignty.
The ‘Lehendakari’ also highlighted the contribution that the Basque Country intends to make to strengthening Europe, focusing its efforts on three major strategic areas for its industry: clean technologies, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, and health and biotechnology. In these areas, the Basque Country aspires to put its industrial, scientific, and technological capabilities at the service of a more autonomous and resilient European project.
‘Leaders Meeting – Fit for the Future’
The reception at Ajuria Enea Palace is part of the ‘Leaders Meeting – Fit for the Future,’ which is taking place today and tomorrow in Bilbao and makes the Basque Country the epicenter of the European industrial debate. The summit, co-chaired by the Lehendakari and the Minister-President of Flanders, brings together institutional, business, and technological representatives with the aim of developing a shared vision on innovation, science, industry, and strategic technologies.
The meeting brings together nearly 40 clusters from the fields of clean technologies, artificial and quantum intelligence, and health and biotechnology, representing the territories that are part of the initiative. Through this forum, the Basque Country seeks to strengthen ties, explore new alliances, and generate opportunities with a direct impact on its productive and technological fabric, while also asserting the role of the regions as key players in the design and implementation of European policies.
