Brussels, 27/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - The EU has reacted with indignation to the wave of terrorist attacks in Bombay/Mumbai on 26 November which left 100 people dead and many injured. The French EU Presidency condemns these acts in the strongest possible manner. “The Presidency of the Council of the European Union recognises the Indian people's attachment to democracy, which has been directly targeted by these terrorist acts. It joins in the mourning of the Indian Nation and stands beside it during this distressing trial”, the Presidency states. Meeting in Council on Thursday 27 November (see related articles), the EU27 interior minister took stock of the situation on the ground in the light of a report from the relevant Council and Commission services. They called for determined and coordinated action on the part of the EU to prevent and combat such acts. Cooperation with all of the Union's external partners must also be strengthened, European justice ministers said. Medical and consular assistance as well as support for evacuation have been sent to the country. The Council has also pointed out that EU citizens whose State is not represented in Mumbai can use the consular services of any other member state there. MEPs visiting Mumbai seem to have been caught in the firing on the town's main hotels but none have been wounded, the European Parliament has said. (H.B./transl.jl)