Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams today urged the European Union to give its full backing to efforts to promote the peace process between the Basques and Spain.
After talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams backed calls from the Basque government for international support for the process.
Mr Adams, who has been involved in efforts to encourage dialogue between Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero and the separatist group Eta, said he believed the Basque peace process could be successful.
"Obviously there are risks and challenges," he said. "However, it is my view . . . that, as in our own process, all their problems are political problems which require political solutions. The challenge for political leaders there is to knuckle down.
"I believe that can happen and, while I am not arrogant or presumptuous enough to teach them lessons about our process, there are general principles common to the resolution of conflicts, such as respecting people's rights, people's mandates and dialogue as well," he said.
"The European Union clearly has a role to play in support of the efforts to develop the peace process between the Basques and Spain.
PA