The agreement was first signed in 2017 to develop cross-border cooperation on issues related to language policy, with the aim of further developing relations between the three institutions and exchanging good practice in this area. On this occasion, they signed for the fourth time.

The three signatories have highlighted the fried nature of the pact in recent years. Ana OLLO has stressed the importance of this commitment to foster a normal cooperation between the three territories, which was impossible before 2017. In the same vein, Bingen Zupiria pointed out that this pact is a milestone in the normalisation of the Basque country and stressed that the Basque country also needs the support of the administrations. For his part, Beñat Arrabit has stated that, although cooperation between the three territories has already taken place before, in the current context of crisis it will be more necessary than ever.

This year’s action plan for the convention is divided into five specific areas of work: education and teaching of the Basque language for adults; use of the Basque language; linguistic reflection; research; and cooperation at European level.

Education in Basque and Euskera teaching for adults

Education: the parties agree to analyse the exchange needs of students between the three territories in collaboration with the parents' associations to define a pilot project that responds to them. In addition, the modalities of access to CAV universities for students wishing to continue their studies in Basque will be studied. In addition, the possibility of creating binational diplomas or degrees in cooperation with the Eurozone or Eurozone universities will be analysed.

The teaching of Euskera to adults: a technical commission will analyse the adaptation of the basic curriculum developed by the Basque Government in this area to Navarra and will agree on the conditions necessary to overcome the different levels. In addition, the three parties have agreed to offer professionals working in this sector their participation in training actions organised by the three institutions or to carry out a diagnosis of the needs of the three parties. The materials of the HABE library shall be provided to the technicians of the three institutions and shall respond to the specific consultations.

Accreditation of linguistic competences: the parties shall work to know the certificates of each community in order to unify or validate the certification system.

Promoting the use of Euskera

Euskera and leisure: the three parties have agreed to bring together and exchange news on sports and leisure activities aimed at children and young people. Where circumstances permit, the possibility of arranging a cross-border stay in Basque will be studied.

Digital environment: it has been agreed to continue joining resources or developing the Basque language on the Internet, especially through the Wikipedia Euskaraz project. To this end, the plans and projects developed with the Association of Wikilaris will be shared, and this platform will analyze the feasibility of the project to jointly develop contents in Basque.

In the Basque Country and in the socio-economic area: a diagnosis will be made of the existing practices for the promotion of the Basque Country in this area and common support mechanisms will be defined for companies taking into account the realities of each territory.

Reflection and promotion of the Basque Country

Reflection and promotion of the Basque Country: the three parties have agreed not only to participate in the Euskaraldia project, but also to analyze the development of the family transmission project launched by the Basque Autonomous Community in 2019.

Spaces for reflection: the parties will participate in the spaces already created and representatives of the Basque Advisory Council will be able to attend the commissions of HAKOBA.

Studies and corpus of the Basque Country

Socio-linguistic research: the parties agree to further develop jointly the system of indicators generated in a collaborative manner by the three parties and to work on their adaptation, taking into account the realities of each territory. Likewise, the VII National Statistical Congress was held in 2020. Preparation of the Socio-Linguistic Survey will be carried out in 2021. With regard to Euskaraldia, they will work together both in the methodology and in the elaboration and dissemination of the study results.

Corpus linguistica: experts from the three territories will be integrated into the Special Commission on Terminology of the Basque Advisory Council, collaboration with terminology experts from the Basque Government will be articulated and the terms of the French Basque Country will be integrated into the Euskalterm terminology database.

European framework for cooperation

Finally, as regards cooperation at European level, it has been decided to continue to present projects within the framework of European funding sources and to continue working together in future POCTEFA operational programmes to integrate language policy as a priority investment.