South Caucasus Leaders Condemn Paris Terror Attacks.

On Friday evening, Paris came under a series of terrorist attacks. There were six simultaneous suicide attacks in two districts, and at the stadium "Stade de France". According to official sources in Paris by Saturday morning, 128 people were reported dead and more than 180 were injured, 99 - seriously.

The attacks in Paris drew immediate worldwide condemnation. World leaders voiced their support for France, and expressed their condolences to the victims and their families, in these difficult moments for the country.

The President of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker tweeted: "I am deeply shocked by the events in Paris. We stand in full solidarity with the people of France."

Federica Mogherini,High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Vice President of the EU Commission: "En train de suivre avec douleur et effroi les évènements à #Paris. L'Europe est avec la France et le peuple français #Unis"

British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted this: "I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help."

John Kerry, US Secretary of State: "U.S. will support French people in any way we can & continue to stand for liberté, égalité, fraternité."

And this from the Turkish Prime Minister: "This henious attack in #Paris targeted humanity as a whole."

President of the Russian Federation extended his commiseration in connection with "a series of monstrous acts of terrorism in Paris."

The leaders of the South Caucasus also expressed solidarity and condolences to the French people and government.

In his letter the Azerbaijani President said that "Azerbaijan is extremely angered by this horrible incident, resolutely condemns terror and comprehensively supports fight against all its manifestations. In this difficult time our thoughts are with the people of France."

President of Armenia on his part said that "Armenia stands with the brotherly France, and is ready to render full assistance at this difficult time. I extend my deepest condolences to you, dear Mr. President, wishing patience, strength and resilience to the friendship people of France and the relatives of the dead, and a speedy recovery to the injured," the Armenian President's message states.

Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili said that this "shocking tragedy" in Paris "unites the civilized world in solidarity to France and the French people. On the other hand, it also unites us in fight against the huge evil - terrorism," PM Garibashvili said.

President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in his message to the French counterpart, François Hollande, that Georgia has been "shocked by horrendous terrorist attacks."

"This is the crime directed against the entire civilized world and humanity; we should all get united in fight against it," the Georgian president said.

source: commonspace.eu with agencies

photo: REUTERS

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Tensions continue between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Tensions continue between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Tensions have again increased between Pakistan and Afghanistan. At least 28 civilians were killed after Pakistan launched air strikes and sent ground troops into Afghan provinces along its border on Sunday, the United Nations Afghan mission (UNAMA), has said. A further 49 were injured and women and children were among the victims, according to UNAMA. Afghanistan's Taliban government said civilian homes were hit and described the attack as a "cowardly act" and an "atrocity". Meanwhile, Pakistan said it had targeted militant hideouts in Afghanistan's Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces. The neighbouring countries agreed to a ceasefire last October following weeks of deadly clashes and an agreement that has since fallen apart. Casualties were concentrated in Mandokhail, a village in the Paktia province, according to Taliban officials. Afghanistan's Taliban government put the civilian death toll at 36 and said more than 160 had been injured. Pakistan's information minister Attaullah Tarar said 29 militants had been killed in an operation responding to "recent terrorist attacks against innocent people". The BBC has not independently confirmed figures from either side. The attacks come a day after three members of the Sindh Rangers, a Pakistani paramilitary force, were killed at their headquarters in Karachi, according to Pakistan's military. Three militants also died in the suicide attack, and Pakistani officials said they had arrested a fourth, who was an Afghan. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter faction of the TTP, claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack. Both the TTP, also known as the Pakistan Taliban, and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar are banned in Pakistan, and by the UN, because of their involvement in past attacks. Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of harbouring terror groups that carry out cross-border attacks, a claim the Taliban government rejects.

Popular

Editor's choice
Interview
Thursday Interview: Murad Muradov

Thursday Interview: Murad Muradov

Today, commonspace.eu starts a new regular weekly series. THURSDAY INTERVIEW, conducted by Lauri Nikulainen, will host  persons who are thinkers, opinion shapers, and implementors in their countries and spheres. We start the series with an interview with Murad Muradov, a leading person in Azerbaijan's think tank community. He is also the first co-chair of the Action Committee for a new Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue. Last September he made history by being the first Azerbaijani civil society activist to visit Armenia after the 44 day war, and the start of the peace process. Speaking about this visit Murad Muradov said: "My experience was largely positive. My negative expectations luckily didn’t play out. The discussions were respectful, the panel format bringing together experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey was particularly valuable during the NATO Rose-Roth Seminar in Yerevan, and media coverage, while varied in tone, remained largely constructive. Some media outlets though attempted to represent me as more of a government mouthpiece than an independent expert, which was totally misleading.  Overall, I see these initiatives as important steps in rebuilding trust and normalising professional engagement. The fact that soon a larger Azerbaijani civil society visits to Armenia followed, reinforces the sense that this process is moving in the right direction." (click the image to read the interview in full)