Bearing in mind that:
- The recent developments regarding ETA’s disarmament,which would lead to ETA being fully disarmed by April the 8th of the current year; a huge step towards the pacification of the Basque Country and the resolution of the Basque conflict.
- The nonexistent willingness by the Spanish government to cooperate in the process of ETA’s disarmament.
- The high number of police officers and military personnel in the Basque Country, making it the area in Europe with the highest number of police or military officers per capita, while having one of the lowest crime rates.
- Recent developments,particularly in towns like Altsasu or Leitza,where the pres- ence of the Spanish “Guardia Civil” hinders a peaceful coexistence of its citizens.
The European Free Alliance Youth,
Declares that:
- The Spanish and French governments must collaborate with ETA, for its final disarmament, which will be, undoubtedly, one of the much needed steps for the resolution of the conflict.
- Spanish and French military forces must leave the Basque Country, ending their policy of military occupation, a measure widely supported by most political forces in the Basque Country.
- In the case of the Basque Autonomous Community and Navarre, the Ertzaintza and the Foruzaingoa, shall respectively replace the Spanish police forces (National Po- lice and Guardia Civil), lowering the total amount of police officers in the Basque Country, and making it more appropriate to its low crime rate.
- A new policing model must be developed, favouring municipal police forces, based on a framework of community support.
