London Bombings An Attack On Europe

Canberra 8 July, 2005

London Bombings An Attack On Europe

The European Union has condemned the terrorist bombing in London overnight. Calling the attack outrageous and unjustifiable, the European Commission said it was not only an unconscionable assault on innocent civilians, but on the values of all Europeans.

In Gleneagles for the G8 Summit, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, expressed his deepest sympathy, condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families and friends of those killed or maimed in the attacks.

“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,” he said.

“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 has offered every support and assistance to the British authorities as they try to cope with this atrocity.

“We must stand resolutely together against terrorism in all its forms,” said President Barroso.

“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 High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), Javier Solana also expressed his condolences.

"I would like to express my sympathy and solidarity with the people of London and with the British Government after the explosions,” he said.

“People across Europe and around the world will join in condemning what is a hideous attack on innocent civilians."

Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice, Franco Frattini, said he was shocked by news of the attacks, and extended his sympathies.

“This unfortunately confirms that terrorsm is a permanent threat and has struck again at the very heart of Europe,” Vice President Frattini said.

“I would 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,” he said.

“It is an attack on all those who defend and promote human rights and our shared values of freedom, liberty, justice and security.”

The Commission is in constant contact with the British authorities and has offered its complete support.

The UK took over the Presidency of the EU on 1 July, pledging to make Europe’s security a top priority.

“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,” said Vice President Frattini.

“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.”

The Commissioner said that the London attacks, the second terrorism-realated bombings in Europe since 11 September 2001, underpin the need to strengthen and accelerate the coordination and exchange of intelligence between law enforcement authorities in the 25 European Union Member States.

ENDS

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