The Basque separatist group ETA announced Thursday a `` definitive cessation of its armed activity '' in a statement published on the website of Gara , a newspaper that the group has used to convey messages in the past . Listed as a terrorist organization by Spain , the United States and the European Union , ETA is blamed for hundreds of deaths in its decades-long fight for an independent Basque state that it wants carved out of sections of northern Spain and southwestern France . Thursday 's announcement follows a recent push for the group to abandon violence permanently . That effort was led by international figures who include Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams of Northern Ireland and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan . In a nationally televised address hours after the announcement was posted , Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero termed ETA 's announcement as being of `` transcendental importance '' and a `` victory for democracy . '' `` Ours will be a democracy without terrorism , but not without memory , '' Zapatero said , referring to 829 people killed by ETA and their families . The prime minister praised Spanish police , Civil Guard personnel , the intelligence agency and judicial authorities `` who have contributed to this end . '' Zapatero also singled out France -- which has traditionally been used as a rearguard base for ETA -- and its president , Nicolas Sarkozy , for their assistance . The prime minister said that it would be up to Spain 's next government -- which will be formed after parliamentary elections on November 20 -- to lead the peace process . Zapatero , whose popular standing has soured amid Spain 's deep economic crisis , is not running for a third term . Soon after he was first elected , in 2004 , the police intensified their crackdown on ETA as the group 's popularity among some segments of Basque society began to wane . In its own statement Thursday , ETA called of `` enormous significance '' a one-day meeting held Monday in which Adams , Annan and other leaders met in San Sebastian , a principal Basque city , and called for peace . After that conference -- which did not include representatives from the Spanish government , the Basque regional government or the main opposition party in Spain , the Popular Party -- former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern read a statement calling for ETA to issue a declaration akin to what it made on Thursday . The leaders also called on the Spanish and French governments to welcome it and `` agree to talks exclusively to deal with the consequences of the conflict . '' European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso hailed ETA 's move Friday as `` a truly historic moment which ends years of terror and attacks on Spanish society . '' The development `` marks the culmination of years of unceasing efforts in the fight against terrorism , '' he said , as he congratulated Spain on its efforts to combat ETA . Police have cracked down in recent years on ETA in Spain and France , leaving it operationally weak . There have been numerous statements from the Basque group calling for talks or a peace process of some sort , but all falling short of declaring a definitive end to violence . The Spanish government has said that since ETA has broken cease-fires in the past , only an authoritative statement that it is putting down its arms for good will do . In its statement Thursday , the group outlined why now was the right time to make such a declaration . `` A new political time is emerging in the Basque Country , '' ETA said . `` We have a historic opportunity to find a just and democratic solution for the centuries-old political conflict . '' The group then added that `` dialogue and agreement '' should predominate `` over violence and repression . '' ETA urged the Spanish and French governments to conduct `` direct dialogue '' aimed at addressing outstanding issues , while calling upon fellow Basques to commit to such a process . In remarks Thursday night at their respective political party headquarters in Madrid , the two main contenders to replace Zapatero cheered the development but did not detail what they would do next if they were to become prime minister . Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba , the candidate from Zapatero 's Socialist Party who until recently as Spain 's interior minister led the fight against ETA , said the announcement `` puts an end to decades of broken lives . '' He called unity among Spanish parties and leaders the `` key to this victory , '' and urged that this unified stance continue . `` Today , the ETA is not the protagonist , because the state of law has won , '' Rubalcaba said . Soon after , Mariano Rajoy -- who opinion polls show holds a commanding lead heading into next month 's elections -- said that members of his conservative Popular Party take `` satisfaction '' from ETA 's decision , which he insisted was not spurred by any political concessions . Rajoy called the announcement `` an important step , '' while adding that Spain would rest fully `` only when there is the definitive dissolution '' of ETA . Angeles Pedraza , the president of the Association of Victims of Terrorism , offered a similar stance in stating that her group will be satisfied only when ETA `` turns in its guns and disbands . '' This sentiment was echoed by the leader of the moderate Basque Nationalist Party , Inigo Urkullu , who likewise called on the group to `` disarm and disband . ''
European Commission chief Barroso hails a `` truly historic moment '' Spain 's two top prime ministerial candidates call ETA 's move a `` victory '' The Basque separatist group announces a `` definitive cessation of its armed activity '' ETA calls for talks , saying `` a new political time is emerging in the Basque Country ''