United Europe. An attack on democratic values ​​and tolerance

(B2) Immediately after the attacks, reactions flared up. If Europe could appear in recent days, weak, divided, the attacks in Brussels immediately closed ranks.

Evidenced by the speed with which the capitals have, in turn, convened crisis meetings. But also messages from European institutions and from outside. Beyond messages of condolence.

This night many monuments in Europe and in the rest of the world will be put in the colors of Belgium, starting with the Eiffel Tower.

“An attack on our open democratic society”, Heads of State and Government from the EU

The European Union mourns the victims of today's terrorist attacks in Brussels. It was an attack on our open democratic society. (...) The European Union and its Member States stand firm with Belgium in solidarity and are determined to face this threat together with all necessary means. This latest attack only strengthens our resolve to defend the European values ​​and tolerance from the attacks of the intolerant. We will be united and firm in the fight against hatred, violent extremism and terrorism.

“Brussels welcomes us, we will help Brussels”, Donald Tusk, European Council

The European institutions are hosted in Brussels thanks to the generosity of Belgium's government and its people. The European Union returns this solidarity now and will fulfill its role to help Brussels, Belgium and Europe as a whole counter the terror threat which we are all facing.

« We will stand united in the face of terror », Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission

These attacks affect today Brussels, yesterday Paris. Europe as a whole is targeted. The European Union and the Institutions must and will remain united in the face of terror. These events touch us but do not frighten us. We continue our work to face the terrorist threat together and to provide European solutions to issues that concern us all.

"The roots of our pain are the same in our regions", Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU. On a visit to Jordan, the head of European diplomacy wanted to assure her solidarity with the European capital, before bursting into tears, visibly overwhelmed by emotion.

“It sa sad for Europe as Europe and its capital. We are suffering the same pain that this region as known and knows being it in Syria, being it elsewhere. We are still waiting for more precise news on the dynamics on the attacks of brussels but its quite clear that the pain we are suffering around our region are very much the same. We are united in not only in suffering our victims, but in acting and preventing radicalization and violence together. I think that being here together with its Majesty as we were together in Brussels just a week ago is the most powerful message of strength and friendship among our people that we can pass to those that we can like to divide us. We will not, we will stay together”.

« Brussels will not give in” Martin Schulz, European Parliament

“I am horrified by the cowardly and heinous attacks that took place in Brussels today. My first thoughts are with the victims and injured, as well as their families and loved ones. These acts provoke anger and sadness in me. They are rooted in barbarism and hatred. And no cause can ever justify them. Brussels, like other cities hit by such terrorist attacks, will not give in and the European institutions, generously welcomed by the Brussels authorities and its inhabitants, will do the same (...)”

In the European Parliament, as soon as the news of the attack in Zaventem became known, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament began a minute of silence.

“Europe is our strength”, French Socialist MEPs

“Through these new massacres, the day after the attacks in Bamako or Ankara, it is the Union that is targeted because it is the Union. If we were not yet fully aware of it, it is proof that we are on the same boat, and that we must, in an intangible way, act in total solidarity. In an unstable world, the Union is a strength, it is our strength. »

“We will never let them win”, David Cameron (United Kingdom)

 

 

 

"All of Europe is affected", François Hollande (France)

 

 

 

« Greece in solidarity » Alexis Tsipras (Greece)

 

 

 

It could have “been somewhere else”, Andrzej Duda (Poland)

« These attacks affect Belgium but could have been in Great Britain, France or elsewhere, we must be united and ensure that they cannot win. »

“The capital of a united Europe”, Boïko Borissov (Bulgaria)

« We will not allow our civilization to be destroyed Brussels is not only the Belgian capital. It is the capital of a united Europe. It is the heart of a community to which Bulgaria belongs. Today, more than ever, all Europeans need to show the world that they will not let terrorism destroy our civilisation. »

“Anger, disgust and sadness fill me equally,” Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Denmark)

« Terrorism has struck at the heart of Europe. Innocent people have been killed and injured by ruthless terrorists. My thoughts are with those affected and their loved ones and all the Belgian people. Families and human destinies have been shattered. Anger, disgust and sadness fill me. I can only distance myself in the strongest possible way from the brutal acts that we have seen this morning and from the dark forces behind them. Belgium is not alone. All our solidarity goes to Belgian society. We are together in Europe. The Danish authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will take the necessary precautions. »

« Europeans must jointly take all necessary measures”, Pavel Belobradek, Czech Republic (Deputy Prime Minister of Science, Research and Innovation)

“The terrorist attacks in Brussels are a new act in a series of acts of barbarism, committed by fanatics who are trying to overthrow civilization. These inhuman crimes deserve with even more conviction (to be punished) that their perpetrators have repeatedly abused the hospitality and protection that Europe provides for newcomers. (…) I would like the European Union to jointly take all necessary measures to protect the security of citizens and to prevent similar acts. (…) I urge the representatives of European Muslims to clearly disassociate themselves from and condemn any manifestation of Islamic terrorism, to begin to fight effectively against all verbal expressions of religious hatred, and to lead this community towards tolerance and respect European values ​​and conformity. »

(comment collected by the editorial staff of B2)