EU leaders welcome Eta cease-fire

European Union leaders today welcomed the announcement of a cease-fire by the Basque separatist group Eta, but did not immediately indicate if the group might be removed from the EU’s terrorist blacklist.

“We regard this as a very positive sign,” said Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, who opened a two-day summit. Schuessel told reporters the leaders would discuss the cease-fire and would be briefed by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Asked if the EU would consider removing Eta from the list of illegal terrorist organisations drawn up in 2001, Schuessel said: “I have no mandate at the moment to make a statement on that.”

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the cease-fire had brought a “moment of hope,” and said the EU’s executive office would closely follow developments.

Opening an exhibition marking 20 years of Spanish and Portuguese membership in the EU, Zapatero thanked Europe for supporting peace in Spain, “which generations have wanted so much and which should finally be coming to every last part of our territory.”

Eta’s “permanent” cease-fire was due to come into force just after midnight tonight, ending nearly four decades of bombings and shootings that have claimed more than 800 lives.

The group wants independence for the Basque region, which straddles Spain and France.

It called today for negotiations with the two countries, and warned them not to miss a historic chance for peace.

While the EU is unlikely to rush into removing Eta from its terrorist list, its continued inclusion could complicate any attempt to move forward with negotiations.

Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates congratulated Zapatero on the news, saying there was “no better way” to mark the anniversary of the Iberian nations joining the EU.

“This is very good news for Spain, we’re very glad to hear it in Portugal, and it’s good news for Europe,” Socrates said.

Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said he hoped for “a wide and long quiet period” in Spain.

“It’s not only a Spanish matter but a European one, since our solidarity with the Spanish people is considerable,” Juncker said.