Presidents of the European Commission and EU Council Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, as well as High Representative Federica Mogherini condemned the armed attack on Charlie Hebdo offices that left at least 12 people killed, expressing condolences to the families of victims.
“I am profoundly shocked by the brutal and inhuman attack which hit the offices of Charlie Hebdo,” Juncker said in a statement.
“This is an intolerable act of barbarism which affects all of us both as human beings and Europeans.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families. On behalf of the European Commission and personally, I express greatest solidarity with France,” Juncker said.
In a separate statement President Tusk said that “the European Union stands side by side with France after this terrible act. It is a brutal attack against our fundamental values, against freedom of expression which is a pillar of our democracy.”
“The fight against terrorism in all its forms must continue unabated. On behalf of the European Union and myself I extend my deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the victims and express my solidarity with the French authorities and the French people,” Tusk said.
Saying that the “terrorist attacks perpetrated today in Paris are profoundly shocking,” Mogherini underlined that “the freedom of the press is a fundamental right and we will not let these attacks weaken our values.”
“I express my solidarity with France, the victims and their loved ones. The European Union stands by them,” Mogherini said.
“The fight against terrorism in all its forms is regularly in the heart of work at foreign ministries’ meetings. These tragic events reinforce my determination in this sense and I will put it on the agenda of next meeting of Council of Foreign Affairs on January 19. The EU remains united in the fight against any extremism,” she added.
