The first permanent ceasefire called by the Basque separatist group Eta has come into effect. The truce began at midnight local time (2300 GMT) amid cautious optimism across Spain that it might signal an end to decades of conflict.
Eta said in a statement handed to the Basque newspaper Gara on Thursday: "It is time to make important decisions, moving from words to deeds."
It called on Spain and France to seize the opportunities offered by its decision to lay down arms.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has said he will take time deciding how to respond to Eta's ceasefire, which was announced on Wednesday.
The EU on Thursday, in the shape of current president, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, said the truce was positive.
He said the EU would discuss it with Mr Zapatero at this week's EU summit in Brussels.
Eta's activities had been waning, with the number of bombings falling in recent years. The last deadly Eta attack was in May 2003.
BBC
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