The African National Congress is encouraged by prospects for a peaceful and lasting resolution to violence in the Basque region of Spain, it said on Thursday.
This was after a meeting between the Basque political party Batasuna and the ANC in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The ANC was represented by secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe and Batasuna by Urko Aiartza Azurtza, the ANC said in a statement.
In March Basque separatist group ETA announced a permanent ceasefire.
”The ANC is further encouraged by the stated intention of Spanish Prime Minister José Luis RodrÃÂÂguez Zapatero and the Spanish Socialist Workers Party … to seek a peaceful and just outcome,” the ANC said.
ETA, whose name is a Basque-language acronym for Basque Homeland and Freedom, has claimed responsibility for more than 800 deaths since the late 1960s as part of its drive for an independent Basque state in northern Spain and south-west France.
In recent months ETA has limited its actions to dozens of small bombings.
The ANC called on all parties to move as quickly as possible from ”talks about talks” to substantive discussion towards the resolution of these issues.
”The ANC stands ready to assist the process in whatever way possible, including availing individuals who were involved in South Africa’s negotiations process,” said the ANC. — Sapa