euskalkultura.eus

Boise, Idaho.  Miren Perez Eguireun, from Bilbao, started work in the new Office of Euskadi in Boise on April 1 whose goal is to promote, enhance, facilitate and develop relationships between Euskadi and Idaho and the United States.  Besides English, Miren also speaks Basque and Spanish fluently, and after setting up office will soon begin her work in downtown Boise, since the Office of Euskadi is situated in the Borah Building (officially called the  US Post Office and Federal Building), a classic building situated near the Capital and very close to city hall as well as the Basque Block of Idaho’s capital.

Its plan, as well as the goals of the office, are outlined in the agreement of cooperation that was signed on February 12, 2013 by the Basque Government and the State of Idaho.  It hopes to facilitate networks and bilateral cooperation, above all in two areas: economic and business, and cultural and educational.

“Doors wide opened”

Upon beginning her job in Boise, Miren Perez Egireun directed some words of greeting to her Basque and American neighbors, those in Boise as well as others in the West in general, emphasizing that the doors of the new Office of Euskadi are wide open, and awaits everyone’s ideas and proposals with anticipation.  “My intention is to build a direct and close relationship,” with everyone. “I also want to thank those in Boise for the warm welcome that they have shown me,” she told EuskalKultura.com.

Miren Perez Eguireun is from Bilbao.  She studied journalism and audiovisual communication and as soon as she finished her degree she worked for a year in a half in Madrid in an international lawyer firm, Baker & McKenzie, in the area of communication, marketing and commercial development. Last year, she had the opportunity to enter the General Secretariat for Foreign Affairs of the Basque Government, as an intern and was given the opportunity to join the U.S. Basque legation. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in International Relations.

From May to November of last year she worked in Vitoria-Gasteiz in the General Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate for Relations with Basque Citizens and Collectivities Abroad.  She started working in the Delegation of Euskadi for the US, Canada and Mexico, located in New York on November 23 and up until her position in Boise was available with the challenge of setting up the Office of Euskadi in Idaho’s capital.

It should be noted that Idaho has historically had a Basque Sub-delegation, a position that was held in 1939-40 by Jon Bilbao.

Miren Pérez Eguireun
Tel: (1) 646 368 6040 ext 104
m-perezeguireun@ej-gv.es
www.euskadi.net/euskaldunak

Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 9am-5pm; Fridays, until 3pm