Compassion and Mobilisation after Paris Attacks

After the terror attacks in Paris, the world leaders expressed solidarity with France, as well as support for the war against terrorism.

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România Internațional, 16.11.2015, 14:02

Friday night’s attacks in Paris, which left over 130 people dead and more than 300 wounded, including Romanians, sent shockwaves across the world. The international community condemned the attacks, claimed by the jihadist Islamic State group, as cowardly and barbaric. World leaders have expressed solidarity with France at this difficult time, as well as support for the war against terrorism. In a letter to his French counterpart Francois Hollande, the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis emphasised that these attacks must be a wake-up call for the entire community to show more determination in fighting terrorism and defending the values of humanity.

Romanians expressed their solidarity with the mourning families and showed up at the Embassy of France in Bucharest carrying flowers and candles. The participants sang the French national anthem and observed a moment of silence. A condolences book was opened, already signed by Romanian political and cultural personalities. One of them was the PM designate of Romania, Dacian Ciolos, who said France needed support and would find it in the EU.

Dacian Ciolos: “I believe Europe has proved that terror and hatred can never build anything. And this is precisely why they cannot last. These are hard times for the French people, and I believe we in Romania can very well understand this, given that just days ago we went through a tragedy ourselves. Of course, the two situations are different in nature, but it is hard to lose such large numbers of people that we love, of innocent people. But whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

In Paris, in solidarity with the French people, the Romanian flag is flown half-mast at the Embassy of Romania. After the terrorist attacks in Paris, many European countries announced they would tighten border security. In all European countries, Romania included, security measures around French institutions have also been strengthened. Several countries have advised their citizens either to avoid traveling to France, or to be very careful when in public places.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry activated a task force, and the Romanian Intelligence Service announced that Romania’s terror alert level remained unchanged. At the request of France, the Luxembourg presidency of the EU called for an emergency meeting of the justice and home affairs ministers, to be held on November 20 in Brussels. The meeting is intended to strengthen the EU counter-terrorism measures.

(Translated by: A. Popescu / Edited by: E. Enache)