Resolution on the peace process in Spain

The European Parliament adopted by 321 votes to 311, with 24 abstentions, a resolution on the peace process in Spain, which was tabled by the PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups following the statements made by the Council and the Commission.

The Parliament endorses the statement by the European Council of 23 and 24 March 2006, under the Austrian Presidency, that the European Council welcomed the reports of the President of the Spanish Government on the announcement of a permanent ceasefire made by the terrorist group ETA. It supports the statement on 22 March 2006 by the President of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, to the effect that this is good news for Spanish society and the whole of Europe. The Parliament calls on the Council and the Commission to take appropriate action.

The Parliament condemns violence as being morally unacceptable and absolutely incompatible with democracy. It supports the fight against terrorism and the peace initiative in the Basque Country undertaken by the Spanish democratic institutions within the framework of their exclusive competences.