July 23, 2016 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 23.07.2016, 12:30
CONDEMNATION Murders like that in Munich must be punished promptly and with maximum severity — Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said after condemning the attack like most of the world leaders. The Romanian president added that the international community must step up efforts to prevent such incidents and take action when needed. Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos has voiced solidarity with the German people and expressed condolences for the victims’ families. According to him such violent acts, which are unfairly claiming or endangering human lives, are inadmissible. According to the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest no Romanians are among the victims of the attack. Romania’s diplomatic missions have opened up hotlines and are ready to offer support if need be. Romanians in southern Germany have been advised to remain extremely cautious while traveling through crowded places. They have also been recommended to observe the local authorities’ recommendations and get updates on the latest developments.
SPEECH Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban believes as appropriate the setting up of a common EU army to strengthen people’s safety. Orban delivered a speech on Saturday at the 27th edition of the Summer University at the Tusnad Resort in central Romania. Orban declared himself confused by the latest string of attacks, which make the Europeans think their future might be at risk. Orban says that for the time being NATO is capable of assuring peace in the community area, but without a common army able to protect the EU’s eastern and southern borders, the community’s role, particularly after the Brexit, will be only one regional not global, while Europe’s Christian values are in danger.
COMPASSION German chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday voiced compassion for the families of the victims of the shooting rampage in Munich, which left 9 dead and 27 wounded. Merkel said that security services are doing everything possible to protect the security and freedom of the German citizens. The Friday attack at a mall in Munich caused panic and blocked the city for several hours as over 200 police troops had been deployed to find the assailants, whom they presumed to be three. They eventually found an 18-year old German-Iranian who committed suicide after the rampage. According to police sources, the man, who had no previous criminal record and was suffering from depression, had no connection with the Islamic State. The attack in Munich is the third in Europe in the past 8 days, after that in France, which left 84 people dead and the last week’s attack in Germany, when an Afghan refugee wounded 5 people in a train.
ATTACK At least 61 people were killed and over 200 others wounded in a double bomb attack in Kabul on Saturday, the Health Ministry in Afghanistan has announced. The Islamic State claimed the attack, one of the bloodiest in Afghanistan in the past months. Two IS fighters detonated explosive belts at peaceful rally of the Hazara minority in Kabul who were protesting over a new power line, saying its route bypasses provinces where many of them live.
