Franco
Frattini
José
Manuel Barroso
No.68/05
July 7, 2005
EU
COMMISSION CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACKS IN LONDON
Speaking today in Gleneagles
after
terrorist attacks caused multiple explosions in
London, President of the European Commission
José Manuel Barroso said:
"I want to express my deepest sympathy, condolences
and solidarity to the bereaved families of the innocent
dead for this outrageous and unjustifiable attack. This
is an attack on the people of Britain, it is an attack
on democracy, and it is an attack on the fundamental
freedoms which go to the heart of the European Union.
Citizens across Europe share the grief which is being
felt by the people of Britain, and we share the sense
of vulnerability about a threat which can strike any
of our Member States at any time.
"The European Union will offer every support and
assistance available to the British authorities coping
with this atrocity. We must stand resolutely together
against terrorism in all its forms. At a time when world
leaders are uniting to fight poverty, we can not allow
the language of violence to prevail. Today’s attacks
reinforce the urgency of global solidarity and action.
"The European Union will stand together with the
British people against terrorism, we will stand together
for freedom and democracy. I want to say, as a matter
of duty to the British people, and to the people of
Europe, there must be no safe haven for terrorists and
terrorism in the European Union.”
EU Commissioner
Franco Frattini, responsible for Freedom,
Security and Justice, issued this statement from
Italy:
"I am shocked by the news about the dreadful
events happened in London today. This unfortunately
confirms that terrorism is a permanent threat and has
struck again at the very heart of Europe. I express
my deepest sympathy to the victims of these appalling
acts and to the citizens of the United Kingdom in general.
"However, I like to stress that this attack is
not attack on the United Kingdom or its citizens only,
but an attack on the whole of Europe and on all of us,
all EU citizens. It is an attack on all those who defend
and promote human rights and our shared values of freedom,
liberty, justice and security.
"Along with my Directorate-General [of] Freedom,
Security and Justice, I am in constant contact with
the British Authorities. I have already offered to them,
and to my friend and colleague Home Secretary Charles
Clarke in particular, every support and assistance they
may find useful.
"The priority for the UK
Presidency in the area of justice and home affairs
already identified is that of security and it is a priority
which I fully share and on which it is necessary to
make progress in the next 6 months. On behalf of the
European Commission I confirm the full commitment of
the Commission to promote and accelerate concrete actions
for preventing and reacting immediately to terrorist
attacks. Next week, on 13 July 2005, the Commission
will discuss further measures on the fight against terrorism;
in particular a proposal for a terrorism-related rapid
response mechanism, enabling the EU to respond more
efficiently and in a coordinated way to terrorist attacks
such as these happened today."
Further Contact Information
Press and Media Relations
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
