BRUSSELS, 2007/11/28-29. Jose Mª Muñoa, Basque President’s Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Second Vice-President of European group ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) at the CoR, spoke at “his” last plenary session of the Committee of the Regions (Brussels, 28-29 November 2007). After more than 18 years working on behalf of the Basque Country in Europe, Jose Mª Muñoa is to retire.

In recent years Muñoa has worked determinedly to ensure the Basque Country is respected and valued in Europe. In a short speech in Munoa’s honour made at the beginning of the session, Committee of the Regions President, Michel Delebarre, acknowledged this, stressing Muñoa’s remarkable career and the proactive nature of his efforts to reinforce the role of regions in Europe. “In this subject -said Delebarre- Muñoa was one of the most active members in the Committee of the Regions.”

In his farewell speech to the representatives of the European regions Basque President’ Delegate underlined the need to continue to reinforce the participation of the regions in Europe, without neglecting human values. It was, he stressed, an 'honour' and a 'luxury' for him to have spoken for the first time in Basque in a plenary session in the Committee of the Regions. Muñoa had some emotive words of remembrance for everyone who had worked with him during his time on the Committee of the Regions, particularly his assistant.

Basque Parliament President and President of CALRE (Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies), Izaskun Bilbao, in Brussels for the structured dialogue held in the Committee of the Regions, also stressed Muñoa’s career and the efforts he has made “to open the gates of Europe to the Basque Country. It’s thanks to him that we’re in conditions to work in Europe.”

Basque President’s Delegate’s speech at CoR plenary

At his last plenary session of the Committee of the Regions, on behalf of the ALDE group, Muñoa gave a speech on maritime transport and sea highways. Present at the session was European Commissioner for Fishing & Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg.
 
During the same plenary session, Muñoa, on behalf of the Basque government, presented 4 amendments to two opinions, one on health and safety at work, and the other concerning the role of education in awareness and promotion of sustainable development.

(Source: Basque Government - European Affairs)