Francesco Cossiga was a leading figure on the Italian political scene throughout his long career and particularly in recent decades. Christian Democrat, humanist and Federalist at heart, his political life was an example of intelligence, initiative, tenacity and commitment, strengths that he brought to the public notices during the difficult situations that the country faced which he was in power.  

Cossiga had a special link with the Basque Country.  His closeness to the Basque Nationalist Party was well known and he overcame the pressure from the Government led by Aznar at particularly delicate time.  Cossiga proved himself to be worthy of that friendship by publicly denouncing the removal of the EAJ-PNV from the international forums of Christian democracy, driven by the Partido Popular. His commitment to the EAJ-PNV and to Basque nationalism, along with his defence of dialogue to mainstream and bring the peace process to the Basque Country, made him the target of numerous criticism of the Spanish socialist and conservative organisation that, always acting with courage and clarity, he was able to check, denounce and put down.

A friend of the EAJ-PNV has died. He was also a friend of the Basque people, an award that the Fundación Sabino Arana-Sabino Arana Fundazioa presented him with in the year 2000.  We should recall his thank you speech that he made at the prize giving ceremony held at  the Arriaga Theatre in January 2001, when he said: "All of you, the Basques, whatever your ideological, religious or political beliefs, carry on working as you have been doing since you have governed and defended your land, recovered your identity, fought for the republic by ensuring, that in Spain and in Europe, the Basque Country would mean, as much tomorrow as yesterday and as today: freedom!"

Francesco Cossiga was also awarded by the Lagun Onari Prize by the Basque Government.

Agur jauna. Goian bego.