2007/IV/18
Open Declaration to the European Community

Being a Friendship Group in support of a Peace Process in the Basque Country, these days are of very great importance to us:

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- One year since ETA declared a Permanent Ceasefire.

- One year since the European Council, the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament made public declarations in favour of the Peace Process in the Basque Country.

- Eight months since the declaration of Mr Zapatero in which he announced the opening of official talks with ETA, and its compromise to respect the decision that the Basques will legally and democratically take.

- Five months since the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing its support for the peace process and asking that the European Commission, the European Council and the Member States act accordingly

- 50th Anniversary of the Threaty of Rome.

Therefore, as a Friendship Group in Support of a Peace Process in the Basque Country we would like to state:

FIRSTLY, there is a real possibility of reaching an agreement between all parties involved in the conflict. This agreement should find a solution to the two main knots of the conflict: Territoriality and the right to decide. We believe that the only valid political solution will be one that develops out of the strengthening of democracy and justice so as to allow recognition of the Basque Country as a political entity and acceptance of the right of all citizens of the Basque Country to decide their future.

SECONDLY, we urge all parties involved in the conflict to reach an agreement now.

THIRDLY, we believe that the European Institutions could and should play a fundamental and decisive role in the resolution of the Basque peace process. These days we are celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. In this context we believe that the time for the European Commission, the European Council and the Member States to "act accordingly" in favour of the peace process has arrived. The European Union has not only the possibility but also the moral and political obligation to promote a Peace Process in the Basque Country.

FOURTHLY, we consider that in order to reach and develop this agreement it is necessary to have a scenario in which all human and political rights should be respected. A scenario where there is an absence of all kinds of violence.

This week we are unfortunately also celebrating the eighteenth anniversary of the rupture of the peace talks between ETA and the Socialist Government in the so called "Process of Algiers". Eighteen years of serious conflict had to pass in order to arrive at a situation in which the resolution of the Basque conflict is possible again.

We share the idea that the only way to solve the ongoing conflict is one that is drawn up by everyone and based on dialogue and agreement.

We hope that in the future we will be celebrating the anniversary of the resolution of the Basque Conflict. The anniversary of the recognition of the Basque Country as a political entity with the right to decide its future freely.

The Basque Country needs it. The European Union needs it.