In a letter dated 16 April, but published by a Spanish online newspaper on Wednesday, 2 May 2018, the group informed Basque institutions and civil society groups that it had come to the end of its existence.
“Eta has decided to declare an end to its historical cycle and its role, thereby bringing its path to an end."
The letter, obtained by Spanish online newspaper , eldiario.es., says: "Eta has completely dissolved all its structures and declared an end to its political initiative. This decision ends Eta’s 60-year historical cycle. But it does not bring an end to the conflict between the Basque homeland and Spain and France. The conflict did not begin with Eta and will not end with its dissolution."
The militant separatist group, which gave up its armed campaign seven years ago, said the move was part of a process intended to “bring about a new political cycle” in the Basque homeland.
Eta will hold a symbolic event marking its disbandment in southern France on Friday.
Its apology last month was hailed by the Spanish government as proof that Eta had been defeated “with the weapons of democracy and the strength of the rule of law”.
Spain’s interior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, reacted to the letter by promising that the police would continue hunting terrorists “wherever they may be”.
He added: “Eta members got nothing when they stopped killing and they won’t get anything by making a statement about dissolution.”
