Greece joined the rest of the world over the weekend in mourning and solidarity with France, following a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday (13.11), that killed 129 people and left 352 injured. A joint message by EU heads of state and EU institutions called for one minute of silence in memory of the victims at noon today, Monday, November 16th, noting that “we will face this threat together with all necessary means and ruthless determination […] to defeat extremism, terrorism and hatred”.
President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, expressed his deepest condolences to French President Francois Hollande and the Greek people’s solidarity with Franceabout this international tragedy from “unscrupulous Islamists who turned, through France, against Western civilization, against Democracy, against human rights”. He referred to the European Union’s responsibility to stop the war in Syria as soon as possible, stressing that Greece will cooperate in this direction.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras noted in a statement that it is our duty to “isolate the terrorists and dismantle their networks” but to also “break the vicious circle of violence and conflicts” and “create a safe environment for all the peoples of Europe”, emphasizing that “we shall defeat terrorism and barbarism only if we show our determination in our choice to live in a Europe of democracy, freedom and solidarity”.
Hundreds of Greek people rallied in solidarity and gathered on Saturday (14.11) outside the French embassy in Athens and the French consulate in Thessaloniki to light candles and lay flowers, honoring those killed in the terrorist attacks, while several landmark buildings were lit up with the colors of the French flag to show solidarity with France.
TAGS: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
