MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

18.10.2006

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Françoise Grossetête
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on the peace process in Spain

B6‑0526/2006

European Parliament resolution on the peace process in Spain

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas in Spain there is a deep division within society and among the political forces regarding the way in which ETA terrorism should be tackled,

B.  whereas the fundamental question underlying this debate stems from the claim for a right of self-determination for the Basque Country which implies changing the internal borders of the European Union,

C.  whereas organisations legally classed as terrorist organisations by both the Spanish and the European Union institutions have been playing a conspicuous part in pushing forward this claim, at the same time continuing their extortion activities and other forms of terrorism in the streets, without renouncing violence,

1.  Declares that, in view of the leading role played by terrorist organisations in the process opened in Spain, it is necessary to recall the moral and political indignity that any form of political concession to those organisations represents;

2.  Declares that the European Union cannot approve processes that jeopardise the principles of democracy and the rule of law, and therefore categorically rejects any pretension to alter the territorial integrity of a Member State;

3.  Declares that, in full agreement with the opinion held by the overwhelming majority of victims of terrorism, the necessary changes within the terrorist organisation ETA have not come about, nor have the conditions laid down in the resolution of the Congress of Deputies of 20 May 2005 been met, that would justify a change in the counterterrorism policy defined by the pact for liberties and against terrorism signed on 8 December 2000 by the two largest political forces in Spain, i.e. the People's Party (PP) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE);

4.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission.