UPDATES WITH REACTIONS FROM NATO AND PUTIN
ANKARA (AA) – Reactions from across the globe began pouring in late Thursday after a terror attack struck the southern French city of Nice, killing scores.
At least 84 victims were killed and many injured when a truck ran over crowds during Bastille Day celebrations.
Shortly after news of the tragedy broke, U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the attack “in the strongest terms”, saying Washington stands in “solidarity and partnership” with its oldest ally.
“On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world,” he said in a statement, “and we know that the character of the French Republic will endure long after this devastating and tragic loss of life.”
Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Omer Celik also said he “condemn[s] the horrible terrorist attack in Nice, France in the strongest possible terms.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he said on Twitter. “Terror is always brutal wherever or in whatever form or with whatever motiv[at]es it.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel strongly condemned the attack and offered condolences to France.
“Germany stands side by side with France in fight against terrorism, united with many, many others. I am very convinced that we would win this fight despite all the difficulties,” she said on Friday, at a press conference in Mongolia’s capital Ulan Bator.
Merkel emphasized that the European and Asian leaders gathered there for a two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit stand united with France.
“Today is a day of solidarity. All people in Germany are in solidarity with our friends in France. All the countries today here are in solidarity with France in fight against terrorism,” she said.
Also in Ulan Bator, Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, wrote on Twitter, “Tragic paradox that the subject of Nice attack was the people celebrating liberty, equality and fraternity.”
He said European and Asian leaders also discussed terrorism and regional cooperation at the ASEM summit.
New British Prime Minister Theresa May said her country stood “shoulder to shoulder” with France.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday morning, she said she was “shocked and saddened after the horrifying attack in Nice.”
She continued: “I will speak to President [Francois] Hollande today and make clear that the United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with France today as we have done so often in the past.
“If, as we fear, this was a terrorist attack then we must redouble our efforts to defeat these brutal murderers who want to destroy our way of life.”
May said the U.K.’s own terror threat level was at severe, meaning an attack may be highly likely, and that officials would be meeting later on Friday to discuss the domestic implications.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the terrorist attack in a statement on Thursday.
“I am appalled and saddened by the terrorist attack in Nice. My thoughts are with the families and loved-ones of the victims and with all those affected.
“This attack targeted innocent people and the core values for which NATO stands. But terrorism will never defeat democracy, freedom and our open societies,” the statement said, adding NATO stood in strong solidarity with the people of France.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a public statement condemning “the outrageous terrorist attack.”
In a public letter addressed to President Hollande, Putin expressed Russia’s “deep distress” at the news, and “our sympathy and solidarity with the French nation.”
“The criminal act in Nice that resulted in death and injury, including among Russian citizens, was committed with extreme atrocity and cynicism,” Putin said. “Only through a united effort can we defeat terrorism.”
“Mr President, I kindly ask you to pass on my words of most sincere sympathy and support to the victims’ families and friends, and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” the letter concluded.
Following the attack, Italy tightened security along its land border with France – which lies some 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Nice, on the Mediterranean – the country’s Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said in a statement.
Alfano said he had called the counter-terrorism committee for an emergency meeting.
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Nice and Europe were affected horribly by the attack.
Newly appointed British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the attack represented a “continuing threat to us and the whole of Europe”.
Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Johnson said: “Obviously our thoughts are very much with the people of France and Nice. An absolutely appalling incident”.
He added that one U.K. national was among the injured.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel also shared on Twitter a message of solidarity with France.
The Vatican also condemned the attack. Its spokesman Federico Lombardi said, “On behalf of Pope Francis, we join in solidarity with the suffering of the victims and of the entire French people this day that should have been a great holiday. We condemn in the strongest way every demonstration of senseless violence, of hatred, terrorism and any attack again peace.”
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland issued a statement denouncing the attack, saying, “On 14 July, the day when France and the world celebrate the birth of the French Republic, when the call to ‘liberté, égalité, fraternité’ rings in the hearts of all democrats, the host nation of the Council of Europe has been the scene of another murderous attack.”
Pedro Agramunt, head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said, “I strongly condemn the attack in Nice on Bastille Day. It is an attack on France – one of our member states – and an attack on Europe, our symbols and the values that unite us.” He added, “At such terrible moments we must firmly condemn terrorism and express solidarity with the people and the member states affected.”
Condemnations from France’s Balkan neighbors also began streaming in.
In a message to his French counterpart Manuel Valls, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic expressed deep sorrow as well as his condolences over the victims.
“Terror has struck again in the heart of France and Europe, and a day of national celebration has turned into a day of national mourning. The attack again shows us that we must together fight against terrorism,” said Vucic.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic said in a message to Valls that Bosnia stands with France and its people.
“I strongly believe that we can provide world peace by fighting together against terrorism,” said Zvizdic.
Croatian Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic strongly condemned the attack, saying, “Croatia is with France in the fight against terrorism.”
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci said on social media, “The winner of this fight will be France. We’re on your side.”
Also on social media, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said, “The world will never kneel before the strategy of fear. Nationalism will be defeated as it was before and freedom will win.”
