12 September 1998,
23 political parties, trade unions and popular movements signed the Estella Agreement. It was a pact primarily between the nationalist forces. The text modelled the peace process in Northern Ireland and claimed the right to decide for the Basque Country and the negotiated settlement of the armed conflict. Shortly after its signature, ETA announced a ceasefire. During the period of the agreement, the Spanish and French governments carried out numerous arrest operations, and after one year, the breakdown of the truce by ETA led to the cessation of several agents. It was created to promote a sustainable peace process, but the Government of Spain and ETA did not achieve consensus.