Washington Circle, Washington, DC: EU Ambassador to the US John Bruton (Front Row, 2nd From Right) & Spanish Ambassador to the US Carlos Westendorp (Front Row, 4th From Right) at Public Remembrance of the of the March 11, 2004 Bombings in Madrid.

No. 26/05
March 11, 2005

EU MARKS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 311 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN MADRID

TO MARK THE OCCASION IN WASHINGTON, DC , THE SPANISH EMBASSY HAS CONVENED A SILENT COMMEMORATION AT WASHINGTON CIRCLE, MIDDAY, MARCH 11, 2005. EU AMBASSADOR JOHN BRUTON AND STAFF FROM THE EU DELEGATION WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.

To mark the one year anniversary of the 311 (11 March 2004) attacks in Madrid, EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso today said, “The 311 attack against Spanish and other citizens was an attack against all European citizens, an attack against the very principles on which the EU is founded. One year after March 11 we remember the brutal loss of lives in Madrid. And as we express once again our solidarity and compassion with those who still bear the mental and physical scars of that day, the EU will continue its relentless fight against terrorism. It is also a fight to preserve and uphold our most fundamental and cherished values and freedoms. We owe it to the victims of terrorism.”

In announcing his intention to attend the silent commemoration to take place in Washington, DC, today at midday, EU Ambassador John Bruton added: “This is an important sign of public solidarity with the people of Spain and other nationalities who suffered so terribly. It is important to remember those who died, but also those who were injured and continue to this day to suffer constant pain or disfigurement as a result of the cruel acts perpetrated a year ago in Madrid.”

President Barroso went on to say that “terrorism seeks to destabilise societies by creating tension, fear and panic through violence on innocent citizens. The Madrid events of last year made it clear that a terrorist attack on any part of the EU affects the EU in its entirety; as was shown by the response of the EU in its entirety.

"Preventing and combating terrorism has become one of the EU’s greatest challenges. I am fully aware that threats to security are one of our citizen’s main worries. Eight out of 10 European citizens fear terrorism. A very large majority, 83%, believe in the added value of EU action against terrorism and therefore demand further EU action. This has therefore been named as one of the priorities of my Commission in its 5-year Strategic Objectives.

"The March 11 events revealed how serious and complex the threat is. Our response has to be effective in the long term. We will fight terrorism by the law and within the law. Fighting terrorism is about preserving our most fundamental and cherished human rights. In the fight against terrorism, we must uphold those very same principles we are so adamant to defend. Our campaign, therefore, has to be resolute and systematic and solidly anchored in respect for human rights and the rule of law.”