The armed group, ETA, which has been campaigning for Basque independence, has said it will not to carry out any more attacks.
In a video message issued this afternoon, ETA said that it made the decision ‘not to carry out armed actions’ several months ago and ‘to put in motion a democratic process.’
‘ETA confirms its commitment to finding a democratic solution to the conflict,’ the group said.
AdvertisementIt added: ‘In its commitment to a democratic process to decide freely and democratically our future, through dialogue and negotiations, ETA is prepared today as yesterday to agree to the minimum democratic conditions necessary to put in motion a democratic process, if the Spanish government is willing.’
Officials from the Spanish interior ministry have declined to comment.
It is not clear if the Spanish government will continue to insist that ETA decommission its weapons before peace talks.
However, the interior minister of the regional Basque government, Rodolfo Ares, said the announcement was insufficient and ambiguous because it failed to promise the definitive end of violence.
The news came after ETA was urged on Friday to declare a truce by its political wing Batasuna plus its ally, the Eusko Alkartasuna party.
ETA has been responsible for around 850 deaths in a four-decade fight to create an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southern France.
However, the organisation has been weakened by the arrest of leading members in recent years.
The group’s leader Ibon Gogeascoechea was caught in February in northern France along with two senior ETA members.
ETA declared a permanent ceasefire in March 2006, but Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero called off the peace process later that year after the group detonated a car bomb at Madrid airport that killed two Ecuadorians.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire by ETA and it decision to pursue independence by democratic means.
Mr Adams, whose party has close links with ETA’s political wing, said he was aware of discussions within the ETA organisation in recent months.
He said: 'This is a significant statement and has the potential to bring about a permanent end to the long-running conflict in the Basque country.
‘It is now vital that the Spanish government respond positively and grasp the opportunity to advance a peace process presented by today’s announcement and quickly establish inclusive political negotiations.’