15 January 2025
Bilbao Campus
The Zedarriak Forum presented the report “Euskadi and the European Union: A shared destiny of prosperity and competitiveness”, a strategic analysis that proposes an action plan to consolidate Euskadi as a leader in innovation and competitiveness within the European Union, on January 15 at the Deusto Library-CRAI.
Three years after its creation at the beginning of 2022, Zedarriak has convened its second Breakfast before a large representation of institutions, companies and civil society, with Eneko Landaburu, special advisor to the President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Director General of the European Commission, as guest speaker.
The report, inspired by the recent Draghi and Letta Reports, highlights the challenges and opportunities facing the Basque Country in a complex global context. Among its main recommendations are:
- Strengthening the industrial and technological base: Adapting Basque industry to the green and digital transition, with sustained investment in R&D&I.
- Attracting and retaining talent: Promoting continuous training and creating attractive conditions for local and international talent.
- Greater influence in the State and the EU: Strengthen the presence of the Basque Country in the strategic decisions of the European Union and maximize the return of European funds.
- Social commitment: To prepare Basque society to face the challenges of the future through adapted education and the active participation of civil society.
According to the Zedarriak Forum, these actions are essential and urgent for the Basque Country to maintain its economic and social leadership, contributing to the strengthening of the European project.
Intervention of Eneko Landaburu
In his role as guest speaker, Eneko Landaburu offered an insider's view on the new phase of the European Commission, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing Europe in a global context marked by geopolitical, technological and economic changes. As has been pointed out by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Landaburu stressed that Europe must strengthen its strategic sovereignty to ensure its competitiveness and security in the world.
In her speech, Landaburu emphasized the fundamental role played by regions such as the Basque Country in the development of European competitiveness. He pointed out that, in this new stage, the European Commission seeks to reinforce the integration of the territories in its strategic policies, promoting closer collaboration between European institutions, regional governments and the business fabric.
He also stressed the importance of the active participation of the Basque Country in European decisions to maximize the use of EU funds and ensure that innovation, sustainability and industrial development policies are aligned with regional priorities. Landaburu concluded his speech with a call to action for the Basque Country to lead its transformation in line with the new challenges and opportunities facing Europe.
Relief in the Forum and new forms of participation in Zedarriak
Before the end of the Breakfast, Zedarriak announced the replacement of Pedro Luis Uriarte in the Zedarriak Forum, who passes the baton to the consultant and journalist Pilar Kaltzada, currently President of Save The Children Spain, as well as General Manager of the digital newspaper in Basque EnpresaBIDEA and collaborator in various civil society organizations in the social field.
With this, the Forum is now made up of 9 women and 6 men, and increases the diversity of its profiles, originally closely linked to the business world. Pedro Luis Uriarte will continue to collaborate with Zedarriak from a newly created advisory board, in which the current members of the Forum will be incorporated as they complete their term of office.
