12 September 2001

DECLARATION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION

The Council of the European Union, meeting in special session today, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance, expressed its horror at yesterday's terrorist attacks in the United States. The Council stressed its complete solidarity with the government of the United States and the American people at this terrible time and extended its deepest sympathy to all the victims and their families. We ask all Europeans to observe 3 minutes of silence Friday, 14 September at 12h00 and we also declare 14 September 2001 a day of mourning.

These horrendous acts are an attack not only on the United States but against humanity itself and the values and freedoms we all share. The life and work of our open and democratic societies will continue undeterred.

The Union utterly condemns the perpetrators and sponsors of these acts of barbarism. The Union and its Member States will spare no efforts to help identify, bring to justice and punish those responsible: there will be no safe haven for terrorists and their sponsors.

The Union will work closely with the United States and all partners to combat international terrorism. All international organisations, particularly the United Nations, must be engaged and all relevant international instruments, including on the financing of terrorism, must be fully implemented.

The Community and its Member States have offered to the United States all possible assistance with search and rescue operations. Discussions are underway to establish what help would be most useful.

Recalling the strong and enduring ties which exist between the European Union and the United States, the Council has asked the Presidency to stay in close contact with the government of the United States in order to convey this message of solidarity.