Historical Nationalist Ministerial Summit in Edinburgh

**Ghjuvà**

Citation:

19.01.08 Historical Nationalist Ministerial Summit in Edinburgh (19/01/2008)
5 EFA parties in Government gather to sign cultural co-operation agreement between Wales, Schotland, Flanders, Catalonia and the Basque Country

Edinburgh— For the first time in the history of the European Political party European Free Alliance (EFA) 5 Ministers from 5 governing EFA parties gathered.

The ministers and Presidents met representatives of other European governments to discuss constitutional changes and also the role of cultural and linguistic policy in Nation Building. They attended the EFA Summit in Edinburgh with apart from the Scottish hosts ministers from the Catalan, Basque, Flemish and Welsh governments.

The ministers signed a joint declaration of cultural and linguistic cooperation between the five governments in which they state we wish to:

“To establish cultural cooperation mechanisms between the parties.

To promote joint initiatives in the field of culture, the promotion of cultural heritage and support for the diversity of language. To promote an exchange of ideas, experiences and good practice in the field of culture.To maintain periodic contact between the parties in order to monitor and review the joint initiatives.”

EFA President Nelly Maes chairs the debate on the constitutional changes taking place in Wales, Scotland, Flanders, the Basque Country and Catalonia. She said prior to the meeting:

"This historic event is symbolic of the advances made by several of our EFA parties in different parts of Europe. The Edinburgh meeting will bring together five government ministers from other countries and is a sign of the progress being made in achieving our shared long term aim ofmore autonomy or independence within the European Union."

"Parliaments from all across Europe will be voting soon on the Reform treaty of Lisbon. But in Edinburgh this weekend, we will be talking about the reality of Europe and the changes already taking place. At least three of our countries are in the process of major consultations which will lead to referenda on constitutional changes.

Notes to Editors

The Edinburgh Ministerial meeting takes place at 'Our Dynamic Earth' centre, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh this Saturday morning 19 January 2008 from 0945 and there will be a press conference and photo op at 13h00.

The meeting will be chaired by SNP Culture spokesperson Linda Fabiani, and is organised by the European Free Alliance (EFA). The following ministers will attend the summit:

* Linda Fabiani (Scottish Minister for External affairs, Europe and Culture)
* Joan Manel Tresserras (Catalan Minister of Culture)
* Tontxu Campos (Basque Minister of Education)
* Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Welsh Minister of Heritage)
* Bert Anciaux (Flemish Minister for Youth, Culture, Sports and heritage)

The Chair of the discussion on cultural and linguistic policy is Bernat Joan i Mari, from Catalonia.

Taking part in the constitutional debate are:Josep Lluis Carod Rovira (President of ERC), Unai Ziarreta (President of EA), Jill Evans MEP (Deputy President of Plaid Cymru), Ian Hudghton (President of SNP), Bettina Geysen (President of Spirit).

www.e-f-a.org

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