This text has been automatically translated, it may contain errors or inaccuracies.
The European Union
Favorite
Remove from my list

Albares sees' postponement tactics' in postponing the decision on the official status of the Basque Country in the EU

"Knowing that there are no technical arguments that can prevent this, I begin to wonder if there are no political reasons behind it, but sooner or later, without any doubt, we will overcome them," the Foreign Minister said in an interview on Radio Euskadi.

FOTODELDÍA Bruselas (Bélgica), 15/07/2025.- El ministro español de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación, José Manuel Albares Bueno (i), conversa con Tanja Fajon (d), viceprimera ministra y ministra de Asuntos Exteriores y Europeos de la República de Eslovenia, en un Consejo de Asuntos Exteriores del Consejo de la UE en Bruselas, Bélgica, el 15 de julio de 2025. EFE/ Olivier Matthys

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares today in Brussels.

The Spanish Government will continue to work with the countries that have asked for more time in the EU to achieve the official status of Basque, Catalan and Galician, but the Minister for Foreign Affairs, JoséManuel Albares , has said that 'one cannot say that he has doubts and then cannot say which ones or what reports he needs, but not ask for it, that is not legitimate, they are postponement tactics'.

The Spanish minister believes that it is not "technical arguments" that have led to a lack of agreement today. "That is a way to prolong an irreversible path," he has reproached.

"Knowing that there are no technical arguments that can prevent this, I begin to wonder if thereasons behind  are not political (reasons for the delay), but sooner or later, without any doubt, we will overcome them, "the minister said in an interview on Radio Euskadi, hours after the States of the European Union again postponed the vote on the officiality of Catalan, Basque and Galician, due to the lack of consensus necessary to accept the request.

Jose Manuel Albares Atzerri ministroa

You can't say you have doubts, and then you can't say which or which reports you need, but don't ask.

The minister has pointed out that he cannot includein his mind the existence of political parties "that are contrary to the languages" contained in the Spanish Constitution.

He explains that in Europe 'some states have asked us for more time to take the initiative unanimously, and the truth is there is no real argument' behind the doubts raised by some countries.

"I do not see why, a decision that does not affect anyone, except Spain, and its national identity, being multilingual, cannot succeed," added the minister, who called on all the Spanish political forces, in particular the PP, to talk to the "fraternal parties" in Europe.

On the other hand, Albaras has valued theletter   from the President, Imanol Pradales, and the President of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, to ask the Member States of the European Union to guarantee the official status of Catalan, Basque and Galician, and has been surprised that the President of the Xunta de Galicia did not join the initiative.

"I would love to see his signature there" because "Galician is a language that deserves to be official in Europe and not just to ask for a vote in the elections in the villages there," he added.

You might like

18:00 - 20:00
LIVE
From  min.

Denis Itxaso: "Among the conditions for turning premises into housing, we will eliminate the condition of having two facades, among others."

The new decree that the Basque Government will adopt on Tuesday in the Governing Council will involve the implementation of a wide range of housing policy measures, developing the general lines announced in recent months. Among the measures, the conditions for converting premises into housing will be made more flexible, which will allow, according to the Government's estimates, about 7,500 premises to change their use inthe Basque Country.

18:00 - 20:00
LIVE
From  min.

The City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz will examine whether Korrika meets the eligibility requirements for grants

On the occasion of the exhibition of photos of ETA prisoners in the race for the Euskera, the People's Party has today called for the suspension of public funding by motion, which has been rejected by the City Council, although Socialist Councilwoman Maria Nanclares has announced that they will study the case to see if it complies with the municipal ordinance.

18:00 - 20:00
LIVE
From  min.

Pradales has accused EH Bildu of not supporting "country agreements," and has urged him to "get wet."

The lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, has reproached EH Bildu for not having supported a single major "country" agreement in these two years of legislature and has asked him to "get wet" . Otxandiano, for his part, has warned that the "disagreements" between the two parties, partners in the Basque Government, on issues such as the Euskera, are "an obstacle" to progress.

Load more