The Lehendakari, Patxi López, has brought the official visit to the U.S. to a close participating in the 2010 Jaialdi, held every five years in the municipality of Boise (Idaho). The last day has served to allow the Basque Government's delegation to reflect on the official visit that, over the course of a week, has brought them to the states of Nevada, California and Idaho. The Lehendakari has affirmed that "all the objectives" set for this trip have been accomplished and thanked the Basque diaspora for the manner in which they have been received. "I take away an entirely positive opinion of the people, of the welcome afforded to us, of the manner in which we have been integrated: we have been made to feel right at home," commented the Lehendakari during his last meeting with the press covering the trip to the U.S.A.

Seven days ago, the Lehendakari and the delegation of the Basque Government, consisting of members of the regional ministries for Culture, Industry and Overseas Action, arrived in Reno (Nevada). Seven days later, in Boise (Idaho), the official visit has drawn to a close with "all objectives accomplished." The Lehendakari, Patxi López, has made an initial appraisal of the official visit to North America where he has come into contact with members of the Basque diaspora for the first time. Having admitted that this collective had experienced a certain degree of expectancy prior to meeting the first non-nationalist Basque Government, the Lehendakari has affirmed that the reception has been "thoroughly positive" and the Basque Executive's objectives and priorities for governmental action have proven "perfectly acceptable" and "normal" to the Basques residing overseas.

The last day of the Lehendakari's official visit to the U.S.A. has transpired in the festival area of the Jaialdi, an event that involves the participation of various euskal etxeak, Basque Associations, from different parts of the world. The Lehendakari, Patxi López, has been accompanied by the Basque Minister for Culture, Blanca Urgell, and the General Secretary for Overseas Action, Guillermo Echenique.

The Basque Government has classified the result of the Lehendakari's first official visit to the U.S.A. as "extremely positive". The trip has combined emotional and bonding elements with specific actions. The Lehendakari has drawn attention to the program to promote the dissemination of the Basque language in the U.S.A., enabling American Basques to become Basque language teachers; to the accord with the University of Boise for the extension of the agreement for the Basque Studies syllabus; to the arrival of ETB, the Basque Public Television, in the North America; and to the numerous contacts made with leading companies and technological centers that will facilitate future collaboration.

The Lehendakari has offered his thanks for the reception afforded to the delegation of the Basque Government by the Basques in North America: despite the existence of a certain degree of expectancy, the Lehendakari believes that "the people of Idaho have accepted our message and governmental objectives without any compunction." Amongst these objectives, the Lehendakari has cited the "amalgamation of identities, which is what the country needs, rather than division and confrontation." "Here, we find the best example of the amalgamation of identities and of how the Basque and North American identities can live in harmony, enabling people to be proud of their roots whilst taking on the culture, history and traditions of the country that took them in," López stated, before affirming that "this is what we want for the Basque Country, the amalgamation of identities that will define a stronger coexistence."

In his last meeting with the press before drawing the official visit to a close, the Lehendakari has explained that he takes away "an entirely positive opinion of the people, of the welcome afforded to us, of the manner in which we have been integrated: we have been made to feel right at home." "In the heart of the U.S.A. we find a small piece of the Basque Country, proud to be Basques, but perfectly integrated," he reiterated.