Sánchez's management of the PNV: he accepts that the Basque Country participate in the management of airports

MadridThe same morning that her loyal aide from the start of the legislature –María Jesús Montero– handed over the baton to her successor –Carlos Cuerpo–, Pedro Sánchez met with Imanol Pradales to satisfy the demands that the PNB has been making for some time and to inject some oxygen into the legislature through advances in the Gernika Statute. "As you know, the Statute is still not fully complied with. There is a political agreement, and we have insisted on the need to do so quickly," the lehendakari stated upon leaving. The meeting, accompanied by a new meeting of the State-Euskadi Cooperation Bilateral Commission, comes exactly two months after the last meeting and fulfills the requirement to be held before Holy Week. On that occasion, despite having secured the transfer of five powers, Pradales left frustrated with the "non-compliance" of the Spanish government. But now he returns to Bilbao "reasonably satisfied" after having signed a "political agreement" for the transfer of seven new matters. The transfer of pensions, among other things, remains pending. The most significant thing is that the door has been opened for the Basque Country to participate in the management of airports "for the first time in history".

"Until today, Euskadi had neither a voice nor a vote in airport matters, and from today it will be able to start participating in decision-making affecting Basque airports," celebrated Imanol Pradales. This will materialize in the creation of a bilateral body for "collaboration, coordination, and management" of the three Basque airports, which will allow for "improving and boosting" these infrastructures' capabilities, "influencing" investments and the "plans that define them," and "improving" the airports' connectivity and services. However, Pradales avoided giving further details: "We will get into the details when the body is up and running," he justified. Subsequently, the Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, limited himself to boasting about the fact that the agreement will allow for "strategic cooperation." Since 2014, there has been the Basque Country Airport Coordination Committee, which was also created in Catalonia, Madrid, or other autonomous communities.

The conquest of the lehendakari echoes in Catalonia. Two years ago, the agreement between the PSC and ERC for the investiture of Salvador Illa included taking steps forward so that the Generalitat can "influence the key and strategic aspects" of El Prat airport. It is a commitment that follows the same line as what the Basque government has now achieved. This was to be concreted in the creation of the Catalan Airport Authority, through which the Catalan government can channel its policies and have "integral governance" of the airport system. The executive council approved the creation of the entity at the beginning of the year and sources from the Govern consulted by ARA refer to this first step they took. For now, the technical committee has been created, which must execute the deployment of the Airport Authority and has until July to present a proposal. The creation law must be voted on this year for the Authority to be "fully operational" on January 1, 2027.

Aena's warning

In this whole context, Aena, the Spanish airport operator in which the State holds 51% of the capital (the rest is private), and which has never looked favorably upon the transfer of the management of State airports, has once again wanted to say something. In a statement this Friday night, the company chaired by Maurici Lucena recalls that "the network of airports of general interest is owned by Aena [...] and its management corresponds exclusively to Aena" and warns that if necessary it "will adopt the measures necessary in defense of its interest and that of all shareholders". In fact, Lucena himself warned two months ago that a move in this direction would be "null".

Six more competencies

Of the other transfers agreed upon by Moncloa and Euskadi this Friday, three stand out. As explained by Imanol Pradales, Euskadi will acquire the functions of "surveillance, inspection, and control" in inland and external waters – in commercial and recreational fishing – and will gain competencies in medical examination centers for driving licenses and in road re-education centers. Furthermore, progress will be made in "cooperation" in private security services so that Euskadi "increases" its training and qualification capabilities.

On the other hand, a "financial cooperation framework" has been agreed upon between the Official Credit Institute (ICO) and the Basque Institute of Finance, and "joint actions" will be promoted to support the development of industrial and business projects for small and medium-sized industrial enterprises. Finally, the management of subsidies for the contracting of combined agricultural insurance will be transferred to the Basque Country.