Brussels, 21/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 21 October, the European Union welcomed the news that Basque separatist group ETA has formally ended the armed struggle after more than 40 years of terrorism and other action. The president of the European Commission expressed his “deepest satisfaction with the news announced yesterday on the definitive cessation of ETA's military activities”. This is a truly historic moment which ends years of terror and attacks on Spanish society. Barosso also said: “I congratulate all Spanish citizens and all of Spain's democratic institutions on this victory. It marks the culmination of years of unceasing efforts in the fight against terrorism.” The president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, also welcomed the news, calling for ETA to meet its promises and be dissolved.
EU counter-terror coordinator Gilles de Kerchove welcomed the news but regretted that it had taken so long. Praising the French and Spanish security forces, he praised the Spanish for their courage.
In a press release published on Thursday night, ETA called on the governments of Spain and France to enter direct dialogue with the aim of dealing with the consequences of the conflict and therefore moving beyond armed clashes. In 2001, ETA was added to the list of terrorist organisations kept by the EU and the USA, and has been blamed for the deaths of 829 people in over 40 years of armed struggle. It was seriously weakened in recent years by action by the Spanish and French police. (SP/transl.fl)