The process of setting up Offices was based on analysis of the potential which each of these countries and economic areas offered for the industrial and economic fabric of the Basque Country. Thus Germany is of course our second economic partner, and the United States is, undoubtedly, an indispensable reference point for any exterior action.

The Exterior Action Strategy established that Canada was a model of reference in some areas under the jurisdiction of the Basque Country such as health, education, science and technology. The advisability of strengthening relations with Quebec was especially highlighted due to economic reasons. Quebec is a French-speaking Canadian province whose coasts have been visited by Basques for centuries.

The change of Government, in the opinion of EAJ-PNV "has recreated a story in which terms like political indoctrination or evangelisation have been extensively employed to brand the exterior policy of the Ibarretxe Government as non based on the development of the economy and at the service of the obsession with identity".

To the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), it is "clear that the López Government has taken steps which give the lie to its exterior policy. It has closed the Office in France and halted the opening of others in Germany and the United Kingdom. It cannot be claimed that these decisions are due to the need for austerity in public spending since the opening of said Offices involves investment to strengthen and extend the institutional presence of the Basque Country in the exterior, to foster the internationalisation of our companies and all types of stakeholders, and in the final analysis contributes to the objective of increasing external demand for the products of our companies necessary to recovery and the future of our economy and quality of life".

Finally, the nationalist party underlined that "this is an unprecedented and inexplicable decision". "Political decisions like this cannot stand the test of common sense no matter how they are dressed up as appeals to saving, or justified with spurious arguments such as those put forward by the present Basque Government".