MADRID, Oct 5 (Saba) -- Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega called on Tuesday at easing tensions between Venezuela and Spain after the statement of two members of Basque separatist group ETA saying they had received weapons training in Venezuela in 2008, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

De la Vega welcomed in press conference today the "very clear and cooperative" answer given by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, stressing the need to continue the investigation in cooperation between the two parties.

For his part, President Chavez denied in a statement broadcasted on Spanish television that Venezuela had contacts with ETA, describing such allegations as a "farce" and as part of a "permanent conspiracy" against the Venezuelan government.
Chavez stressed on his country's rejection of "the activities of this terrorist organization without any reservation," and showed his readiness to fully cooperate with the Spanish authorities.

A court order from the Spanish National Court said Monday that two members of Basque separatist group ETA, arrested for possession of explosives and weapons and integration in a terrorist organization, and received training in Venezuela in 2008.

Madrid had requested information from Caracas concerning the allegations made by the two, and activated a judicial and police cooperation mechanism with Venezuela.
Last month, ETA said it had decided to stop armed attacks but the announcement was greeted with skepticism by analysts and the Spanish government since the group has called several cease-fires in the past and broken them.

Some Spanish political figures demanded to cut ties with Venezuela if did not respond to the demands of the Spanish justice, saying it will not be easy having in account the strong ties between the two countries.

Saba