Mr.Urkullu's discussions with Commissioner Cecilia Malsmtröm - who is responisble for European affairs on the Commission - lasted more than an hour.  He stressed that his request should be considered "when the conditions are right" in terms of the final cessation of violence.  He also stated that Basque institutions should be able to call for support, coverage and measures from the European Union based on the experience obtained in the case of Northern Ireland.

He stressed that no two situations are alike, and that the actions funded under the Peace programme in Ulster ranged from improvements in measures to assist victims of terrorism ("a particularly relevant point on a day of remembrance such as today") to actions for education for peace and measures for the rehabilitation and reincorporation into society of persons imprisoned for terrorist offences who take steps in the right direction in the framework of penitentiary policies.

 

Mr. Urkullu expressed his gratitude for the receptiveness shown by Commissioner Malmstrom in regard to his calls, and remarked on her "detailed, high-level knowledge concerning the current political situation in the Basque Country and developments there in recent years".  He also highlighted that with this visit "we are fulfilling the programme and the commitments that we presented when we stood for the European elections.  We defended the idea of Europe as an area of peace. A phenomenon such as the terrorism that affects the Basque Country is also a European phenomenon.  Europe has programmes to assist in this type of peace process".

In answer to questions from journalists he also stated that he did not share the ethical principles evidenced by the recent declarations of former Spanish prime minister Felipe Gonzalez concerning the "dirty war" against ETA.