ETA has criticized the Spanish and French governments for "failing to adopt any specific commitments" on negotiations since the Basque terrorist group formally renounced violence in October 2011.

Faced with a rejection of its permanent demands, chiefly amnesty for its jailed members, ETA released a statement Thursday that spoke of "a crucial moment" on the path to "resolving the conflict," in a bid to keep up pressure on what it sees as inaction.

Following the recent deaths in France of several key figures, ETA again demanded the transfer of all members in French prisons to Spanish penitentiaries closer to home. The terrorist group also called on the ruling regional PNV party to "step up pressure on both governments."