Council
of the European Union
Brussels, Belgium
September 12, 2001
The Council of the European Union, meeting in special session today, in the
presence of the Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance, expressed its horror
at yesterdays terrorist attacks in the United States. The Council stressed
its complete solidarity with the Government of the United States and the American
people at this terrible time and extended its deepest sympathy to all the victims
and their families. We ask all Europeans to observe 3 minutes of silence Friday,
14 September at 12h00 and we also declare 14 September 2001 a day of mourning.
These horrendous acts are an attack not only on the United States but against
humanity itself and the values and freedoms we all share. The life and work
of our open democratic societies will continue undeterred.
The Union utterly condemns the perpetrators and sponsors of these acts of barbarism.
The Union and its Member States will spare no efforts to help identify, bring
to justice and punish those responsible: there will be no safe haven for terrorists
and their sponsors.
The Union will work closely with the United States and all partners to combat
international terrorism. All international organizations, particularly the United
Nations, must be engaged and all relevant international instruments, including
on the financing of terrorism, must be fully implemented.
The Community and its Member States have offered to the United States all possible
assistance with search and rescue operations. Discussions are underway to establish
what help would be most useful.
Recalling the strong and enduring ties which exist between the European Union
and the United States the Council has asked the Presidency to stay in close
contact with the government of the United States in order to convey this message
of solidarity.