The Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network (Saretek) was opened in 1997. Saret consists of about 200 associations and entities grouped into a dozen groups. What began as a challenge 17 years ago has managed to take root in the Basque industry, and if the latter has resisted in the current crisis, it has in part been thanks to the research work of the members of Saretek. What is more, we find it very difficult to understand the current Basque economy without the contribution of Saretek.

The road traveled by Saretek started almost from scratch, so the wager was practically blind for the administration that had to provide the economic resources as well as for the people and entities that joined this structure. The Basque Government has been acting in recent times on the need to analyse and measure the trajectory of Saretek. The result has been the draft of a new decree that will renew Saretek’s objectives and operating modes by 2020.

The draft of that decree is on the tables of the research centers, and it cannot be denied that it has generated anxiety and nervousness on the agents. The strategic and organisational objectives (staff, publications, patents…) set for 2020 appear to be based primarily on the broad outlines proposed by Europe, and thus, for the time being, there will not be any reference to the linguistic and cultural characteristics of the Basque Country. On the other hand, with more than 90% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the local industry, many will find it very difficult to meet the organisational requirements.

I also agree with the need to update the institutional structure of Saretek and to improve the transfer of research to companies, but this must be done taking into account the characteristics of each country. At the end of the process in which we find ourselves, several entities will be out of play and new ones will be created at the same time, I consider it normal. But in 2020, when you do the corporate photo of Saretek, I want to see the real basis of the Basque Country brand, the roots of here, not anything. And to do so, I can't think of any better way than discussing around one or more tables and agreeing on a few points.

These are times of nervousness for all those involved in research, and I hope that those of the administration too will feel their discomfort, do not recognise everything as true and that it must be imposed.