Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the emergency services who are dealing with the aftermath of these tragedies.
European socialists and democrats denounce all terrorist attacks, and last night we also expressed our strongest condemnation of the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey, France, Iraq and all those places across the world where politically motivated acts of violence kill and maim innocent people.
Sergei Stanishev said:
“The tragic events of the past 24 hours, like those of the past few years, have shocked the people of Europe, but we will not give in to fear. Instead, we strengthen our resolve still further to defeat the forces of terrorism.
“Terrorism knows no borders. The solution is not to retreat behind our own walls, but rather to reach out and work with our international allies.
“It is time to call for a world summit on terrorism where the European Union should be in the lead. A strong international alliance will help us to win the fight against the terrorist threat.
“We can and we will defeat the forces that threaten us.”