18 February 2008

MADRID - Spain should take note of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia, Miren Azkarate, a spokeswoman for the Basque Country's moderate nationalist government, said Sunday.

She said the path followed by the breakaway Balkan state was an example of how to "resolve peacefully and democratically conflicts of identity and sovereignty."

Basque nationalists, including the region's current administration, have long sought the same right, with separatist demands being at the root of the ETA terrorist group's 40-year campaign of violence.

Unlike many EU governments, analysts claim that Spain has sided with Serbia and Russia in not recognising a partly independent Kosovo because Madrid fears that such a move could embolden Basque nationalists.

[Copyright EL PAÍS 2008]

Subject: Spanish news