Brussels, 13/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 11 and 12 May, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and many other European foreign ministers condemned two car bomb attacks in Reyhanli on 11 May. Reyhanli is a Turkish town situated a few kilometres from Syria and the attacks claimed at least 46 lives. The European leaders also offered their condolences.
Ashton “was shocked by the callous attacks” and “appalled by the high death toll”, her spokesperson stated in a press release. “The EU, which condemns terrorist attacks in all their forms, expresses its full solidarity with the government and people of Turkey at this difficult time”, he said, adding that the EU “stands ready to help in any way needed”.
Schulz condemned the attacks “on behalf of the European Parliament”. “We stand with Turkey as an ally, partner and candidate country for EU membership, who is dealing with a tragic conflict on its border”, Schulz said. “This extreme violence and loss of life is deeply shocking”, he added.
France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Slovakia have been among those to react. “We suffer with the wounded (…) and I want to condemn these barbaric acts of terrorism very clearly and very firmly”, said the German foreign affairs minister, Guido Westerwelle. “I condemn the attack most firmly”, said the French foreign affairs minister, Laurent Fabius, who expressed his “solidarity with the authorities and the Turkish people”, as did French President François Hollande. The Spanish government also condemned the attacks “with the greatest determination” (our translation). Describing the attacks as “appalling”, the British foreign affairs minister, William Hague, stressed that the United Kingdom stood “with the people of Turkey”.
Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, condemned the events, stating that “no cause ever justifies the targeting of civilians”. He wanted “the perpetrators of the attack to be identified rapidly, arrested and brought to justice”. Condemning the attacks, Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen described the acts as “despicable”, showing “total disregard for the life of civilians”.
Nine people were questioned on 12 May. Turkey blames the attacks on people linked to the Damascus regime - which denies any involvement. (CG/transl.fl)