The European Parliament,

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

1.  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";

2.  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, which shows that terrorism can be fought by the force of democracy; this is a time to show calmness and caution, a time to remember the many victims of terrorism, a time for hope, for all democratic political forces to join together";

3.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to take appropriate action;

4.  Condemns violence as being morally unacceptable and absolutely incompatible with democracy;

5.  Expresses its solidarity with the victims of terrorism;

6.  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;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States.