General Secretary of Celtic League attends Basque Youth Congress

The General Secretary (GS) of the Celtic League has been continuing developing contacts with the peoples of Europe in his role as President of the European Free Alliance Youth (EFAy), a European political youth organisation.

Last weekend, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot addressed the annual congress of
Basque political youth Gazte Abertzaleak (GA) in Bilbo/Bilbao, Basque
Country, who elected a new Secretary General and Bureau of the organization.
Also present at the congress was Unai Ziarreta, President of Basque
nationalist party Eusko Alkartasuna, who had also been invited along
to speak.

In his address, the GS spoke about the importance of all the different
peoples in Europe working together to achieve a European Union that
is democratic and fair:

"We are all aware that the EU as it stands today needs to be reformed,
to take account of the rights of all the peoples of Europe, where
we all have an equal voice and are equally represented. This aim cannot
be achieved on our own, but in working together we have the means
and the determination to make a difference."

In words that have significance for Bretons and Irish alike, Ziarreta
spoke about the importance of working for a united Euskal Herria (Basque
Country) that is not segregated by two different states (France and
Spain) and even partitioned within the state itself (as in the case
of Navarra).

The Basque Country is just one of the several stateless nations that
exist in the state of Spain and in this way is similar to all of the
other Celtic countries with the exception of Ireland. The Basque language
and culture is arguably the oldest in Europe and predates the Indo
European languages of which the Celtic languages are part. However,
the Basque lands (Euskal Herria) have been divided up over the years
and now straddle the states of France and Spanish and are split up
within the Spanish state itself, with Navarra and the 'Basque Country'
both having their own distinct parliaments. Both Basque Governments
in the state of Spain, have a high degree of autonomy, which far outstrip
the powers of Wales and Scotland.

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

13/05/08

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

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Internet site at:

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