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Basque delegations abroad play an extremely important part in Basque Government foreign policy. One of their characteristics is that they make it possible to meet the major objectives stipulated in the "Basque Autonomous Community Strategy for Foreign Action", including direct participation in international matters by the Basque Country, the foreign positioning of Euskadi as an active subject, or the fostering of foreign action by the Basque Government and other Basque institutions.
The first foreign Basque Delegation to open its doors, a pioneer in the European Community, was in Brussels. This year marks the 20th anniversary of permanent Basque institutional presence in Brussels, a factor to some extent indicating the consolidation of activities and work by our team at the Delegation.
In view of the important step forward achieved with respect to the quality of foreign delegations during the 7th Legislative Term, the Government Council decided during the said period to open delegations in Madrid, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela which are now gradually consolidating their field of action.
Finally, the "Basque Autonomous Community Strategy for Foreign Action" approved at a Government Council meeting on 15th March 2005, established the creation of new Basque Delegations in Europe and America as geographical areas of priority action, an initiative effectively set in motion as from the current legislative term.
The Basque Government therefore acquired a political undertaking with the Basque Parliament to present an annual report on Basque Delegation activities abroad.
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