ETA ceasefire another EU success

11.01.54am GMT Thu 23rd Mar 2006

Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP has welcomed the permanent ceasefire declared by Basque terrorist-separatist group ETA as a success for the EU framework of cooperation and conflict resolution. She said:

"The main credit for reaching this point of course goes to the people of Spain. But there can be no doubt that, as in Northern Ireland, the EU context has contributed through cross-border anti-terrorist action and through a framework which emphasises peace over conflict."

Over 800 people have lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks carried out by ETA, which has been on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 2001.

"A firm stance against terrorist violence can go hand in hand with a willingness to discuss genuine political divisions, and all Europeans will hope that the parties now enter into constructive dialogue."