Brussels, 04/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Saturday 2 July, the European Union offered its help to Italy after the terrorist attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh during the night of 1-2 July. The shooting and hostage- taking have been claimed by Islamic State (IS) and have left 20 people dead, including 9 Italians.
“I am in contact with the Italian foreign minister, Paolo Gentiloni, to put the delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh at full disposal of the Italian authorities. The delegation is ready to assist the embassy”, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said in a press release. Asked about the concrete actions of the EU delegation on the ground, the European External Action Service (EEAS) had not replied to EUROPE's question at the time of going to press.
Mogherini described the attack as “a direct challenge to our global community”. “Terrorism is a global threat, and as the international community we have to tackle it all together”, she said, adding: “In this dark hour, we stand in solidarity with the people and government of Bangladesh, as well as with the authorities and populations of countries who have also suffered in this attack”. Mogherini paid tribute to the law enforcement officers “who bravely lost their lives while seeking to thwart this awful crime”.
Condemning “in the strongest terms the brutal attack”, European Council President Donald Tusk stated that the EU stood side by side with Italy, its people and its authorities “at this sad moment”. “The fight against terrorism will continue unabated. The European Union stands united against all forms of extremism. These attacks must not be allowed to undermine our common values”, he added.
In the words of Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, “our values are stronger than hate and terror”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)