European Parliament president condemns terror attacks in Mumbai

Source: Xinhua | 11-28-2008 09:46

BRUSSELS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- President of the European Parliament (EP) Hans-Gert Pottering on Thursday strongly condemned Wednesday's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, stressing that fighting terrorism must remain a key political priority for the international community.

"I strongly and vehemently condemn these tragic multiple terrorist attacks during which more than 100 people were killed and few hundred injured. This is a crime that cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Terrorism represents one of the greatest dangers to security, stability and democratic values of the international community," he said in a statement.

"On behalf of the European Parliament, I would like to convey a message of solidarity to the Indian people and their authorities. We stand with the families of the victims at this time of mourning," he added.

Meanwhile, he said that the fight against terrorism "must remain a key political priority" for the world. "It is a global problem and a challenge for everyone. We must use all the resources that the rule of law places at our disposal to defeat terrorism together once and for all," he said.

According to Pottering, a delegation of the EP International Trade Committee was visiting Mumbai on Wednesday and was staying in one of the hotels that was attacked.

"We are very much relieved that the French Consulate is now working in close cooperation with the European Parliament to ensure a quick return of the delegation," he said, who have been personally in touch with the delegation members.

The EP delegation was led by Ignasi Guardans Cambo, and included Erika Mann, Syed Kamall, Bela Glattfelder, Daniel Caspary, Jan Tadeusz Masiel and Sajjad Karim.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei