EUROPEAN and Asian leaders who are gathering at the Asia-Europe meeting summit in Mongolia on Friday (July 15) condemned the attack in French Riviera city of Nice, as they expressed disbelief about the latest attack in France.
“Everyone who is here at the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) summit is united in the disbelief about the attack of mass murder in Nice,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the major summit between Asian and European leaders in Mongolia.
She said that Germany would stand by France in the “fight against terrorism.”
“Germany stands by France in the fight against terrorism, together with many, many others and I am convinced that despite the difficulties we will win this fight,” Merkel said.
-More needed in fight vs extremist attacks–
There is also a consensus among world leaders that more needs to be done in the fight against extremist attacks following the death of 84 people in Nice, France’s foreign minister said on the sidelines of ASEM summit in Mongolia on Friday (July 15).
A gunman at the wheel of a heavy truck ploughed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice on Thursday (July 14), killing at least 84 people and injuring scores more in what President Francois Hollande called a terrorist act.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he had received much support from fellow delegates following news of the attack.
“I was very touched of the reaction of each country, each state of, head of state or chief of government or foreign minister all, each has said compassion and solidarity to France. And countries to do more against terrorism, more cooperation. And you can read that in the declaration of the meeting is adopted by all members,” he said, adding that there was a sense that close cooperation was needed between different countries.
“Solidarity and compassion, and more engagement against terrorism. I think all are conscious that it’s necessary to have a fight now stronger against terrorism,” he added.
The Nice attacker has been identified by a police source as a 31-year-old Tunisian-born Frenchman. He also opened fire on the crowds before police shot him dead. He had been known to the police for common crimes but not to the intelligence services, the source said.
(Reuters)