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Basque President, Patxi López, speaking at the 5th World Basque Conference on Wednesday, told members of the Basque Diaspora their help would be crucial in enabling Euskadi to "establish the necessary respect and harmony" for overcoming the "dark past" of ETA terrorism.

Patxi López was speaking to delegations sent from Basque centres based in Asia, America, Europe and Oceania who are attending the 5th World Basque Conference in Donostia-San Sebastian, a meeting which takes place every four years and will run at the city's Kursaal conference centre until November 4th.

The lehendakari opened the 2011 conference with a speech in which he highlighted the "intensity" of the current political climate of the Basque Country since ETA announced a permanent end to terrorist violence.

"For years we have been known overseas almost exclusively for violence. ETA has been a heavy burden which has followed us everywhere. Today, all of this is over, we have managed to put an end to this era and begin another based on co-existence," he stressed.

"Combined effort"

Before an audience that included the provincial leader of Gipuzkoa, Martín Garitano and the mayor of Donostia-San Sebastian, Bildu's Juan Karlos Izagirre, the Basque President said it would "take time" but that harmony was achievable "with effort from everyone".

The new situation, he added, will be reflected in the Basque Country's "image" throughout the rest of the world.

"We will no longer face obstacles for making ourselves known as we really are. The Euskadi brand will no longer be linked with violence but instead with innovation, quality, competitiveness, confidence and good work. We will be even better known for the open, integrated, modern, sustainable and supportive country we truly are."