The armed Basque separatist organization ETA issued a statement Wednesday, calling on the Spanish government to redouble its peace efforts and reiterating its commitment to Spain's peace process.

The group said that there had been "obstacles" since a ceasefire was declared on March 22, referring to Tuesday's arrest of 12 people for extortion, five in Spain and the rest in France.

"ETA calls on the government to take the steps needed so that no law nor court order will be an obstacle or limit to the commitment that is broadly supported by the Basque people, so that words can become reality," the statement said.

"In order to allow the negotiation process to develop, Spanish authorities need to adopt and fulfill their ceasefire commitments, " said the group.

The Spanish government must guarantee a complete end to repression, a halt to attacks against political prisoners, and must apply laws which halt pressure, blackmail and extortion against the political activities of independent leftist groups, the organization demanded in the statement.

Source: Xinhua