“We stand united on the side of France”

At least three people were killed and others injured in the knife attack in a church in Nice on Thursday. A 21-year-old Tunisian was arrested. The anti-terror prosecutor took over the investigation. President Emmanuel Macron spoke of an “Islamist terrorist attack”.

“Incredible attack”

“We condemn these attacks, which are an attack on our common values, in the strongest possible way,” said a joint statement that EU Council leader Charles Michel published on Thursday. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) spoke of an “incredible attack”.

“This is an incredible attack on democracy and freedom of expression in France and in Europe. We must take resolute action together across Europe and beyond against Islamism and political Islam to prevent such attacks,” said shortly before the beginning of the summit in a press statement Vienna. Kurz and his EU colleagues actually discussed the fight against the second corona wave in the evening by video conference.

Video: Kurz said that in his statement

In their joint statement, the heads of state and government stressed that they were shocked and saddened by the terrorist attacks. “We stand united and firmly in our solidarity with France, with the French people and the French government – in our common and ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism.” At the same time, it calls on leaders around the world to work towards dialogue and understanding between communities and religions rather than division.

Reactions from Austria:

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen condemned the act as “appalling and despicable”. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. All of Europe stands together on the side of #France,” tweeted Van der Bellen in German and French.

Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) condemns the knife attack in Nice with three dead sharp. “The hideous attacks in ‘#Nice are deeply condemnable and an attack on democracy, fundamental and freedom rights “, wrote Kogler on Twitter.” Europe stands with #France together – against such terrorist acts. My thoughts and sympathy go with the victims and their families. “

National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka was “shocked” by the “cruel events”. It is “absolutely unacceptable that free people in Europe are victims of terrorist attacks because of their beliefs,” said Sobotka. The attack shows once again “the great danger that Islamist extremism poses for our society,” said Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP). Minister of Europe Karoline Edtstadler In view of the knife attack in Nice (ÖVP) called for Europeans to stand up for their values.

Similar to Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP): “Every terrorist attack is an attack on our democracy and our European fundamental and freedom rights. We are clearly against all forms of extremism and terrorism,” he said on Twitter. Nehammer also instructed the General Director for Public Security, Franz Ruf, to sensitize all police stations to the current events and to have the public space patrolled more intensively. A societal approach must be taken against terrorism, said Nehammer. “A close interaction between prevention and police measures is the order of the day.”

For Sigi Maurer, Club Chairwoman of the Greens, this attack is also an “attack on our common democratic values ​​in Europe, which we must uphold and defend together in these hours”. In the fight against Islamist-motivated violence, “we must not only strengthen the prevention of extremism, but also seek greater exchange with Muslim communities,” said Maurer in a broadcast.

The SPÖ has also condemned the alleged Islamist knife attack. “Dismayed by the inhuman, barbaric terrorist attacks in France,” said the SPÖ club vice president and European spokesman Jörg Leichtfried. “The developments are cause for great concern. Any extremism is to be rejected in the strongest possible way,” he emphasized. Nice. “Europe must stand together, lead the fight against terrorism together and defend the non-negotiable values ​​of democracy,” said Leichtfried.

The FPÖ was also shocked and appalled. Islamism is drawing a “trail of blood through France,” and Europe must “finally wake up,” said the party leader Norbert Hofer. “Consistent measures” are needed by the EU, “especially in the direction of Turkey,” said Hofer, calling for the “immediate termination of the association agreement” and an end to EU accession negotiations. FPÖ club chairman Herbert Kickl demanded once again a “zero tolerance policy against Islamists”, “toothless” Islamic laws in Austria had to be tightened, so Kickl.

“We are shocked by the bloody act in Nice,” said the NEOS spokesman for foreign policy, Helmut Brandstätter. “Regardless of the background, which must now be clarified quickly: We stand side by side with our fellow citizens in France. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.”

The Turkish Cultural Community in Austria (TKG) was shocked by the attacks and assured the French people of their “solidarity for the liberal, democratic, secular order of the Republic of France”.

Europe shows solidarity

“The attack has sown death in a place of consolation,” said the Vatican press secretary Matteo Bruni. The Pope pray for the victims, their loved ones and for the “beloved French people”.

EU Commissioner-General Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter that one remains closed and determined in the face of barbarism and fanaticism. She condemned the “heinous and brutal attack”. The President of the European Parliament David Sassoli called for unity. “We have a duty to stand together against violence and against those who want to incite people and spread hatred,” the Italian tweeted on Thursday.

“We are united in the fight against terror and hatred,” wrote the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday on Twitter. Sánchez stressed: “We will continue to defend freedom, our democratic values, the peace and security of our citizens.”

The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte spoke of a “vile attack”. The attack could “not shake the common front defending the values ​​of freedom and peace,” wrote Conte on Twitter.

“We say to our French friends: you are not alone in the fight against extremism. The Netherlands is by your side,” said the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday via Twitter.

Russian President Wladimir Putin French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “deep sympathy” in a telegram. “The cynical and brutal crime that has been committed in a church causes particular consternation,” Putin wrote on Thursday after the Kremlin. The Russian people share “the anger and sorrow” of the French people and sympathize with the families of the dead.

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin France expressed its condolences. “Our hearts are with the families of the victims of today’s heinous terrorist attack on a church in France, and we pray for the recovery of the injured,” Rivlin said on Twitter on Thursday. “Terrorism, violence and hatred are the modern plagues that are destroying our world. Our heart is with France.”

The Turkey condemned the knife attack in Nice as a “cruel attack”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara expressed its condolences to the victims. The alleged Islamist attack in the Church of Notre-Dame contradicts all “religious, human or moral values”.

Ankara’s condolences came after days of diplomatic tensions between Turkey and France. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan only called for a boycott of French goods on Monday and accused France’s head of state Emmanuel Macron of waging a “hate campaign” against Islam. Erdogan recommended that he have his “state of mind checked”.