Politics

Armed Basque group ETA announced on Wednesday it has appointed a "delegation for direct dialogue with the Governments of Spain and France".

"The European public and each and every one of the European Institutions stand in front of a challenge to encourage and push forward an open process to find a definitive solution to the conflict which persists in the heart of Europe".

ETA's statement was released by the French news agency AFP one day after Francois Hollande was sworn in as France's new socialist president.

ETA announced last October 20th it was ending its 43-year armed campaign for independence and called on Spain and France to open talks.

Spain's Interior Minister Jorge Fernández Díaz rejected ETA's talks request, said that Spain would never negotiate with the armed group and demanded that the band hads over weapons.

Speaking in the Madrid parliament, Fernández Díaz said the only communication expected of ETA was an announcement of its unconditional disbandment.

"There is no need for a dialogue to hand over weapons," the Interior Minister said.