Basque Parliament Approves Declaration on Self-Determination

Regional Parliament in Spain's Basque Country (Pais Vasco) approved a resolution proclaiming the province's "right to self-determination".

The symbolic text adopted Thursday was backed by 48 out of 75 Basque lawmakers.

"This right stems from the capacity of its citizens to freely and democratically decide on their political, economic, social and cultural status by acquiring its own political framework or sharing, fully or partially, its sovereignty with other peoples," the document states as quoted by Spain's daily El Mundo.

Even though the text does not imply any legal consequences, it might cause some worries in Madrid if it is followed by actions similar to those in Catalonia, where a referendum on independence is already scheduled for November 9 this year.

The Basque Parliament claims to represent "all citizens of Basque origin".

Thursday's declaration involves territories reaching beyond the borders of the Spanish province, as Euskal Herria (the name of the "Basque Country" used in the text) also includes Spain's region of Navarra, situated to the east of Pais Vasco, and the south-west end of France.