Merkel stunned
Germany’s chancellor talks of an “attack of mass murder” and pledges complete solidarity with France.
At least 80 people were killed in a terrorist attack in the French city of Nice on Thursday evening. During the festivities to celebrate 14 July, the country’s national public holiday, a truck was driven at high speed into a crowd of people. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of an “attack of mass murder in Nice” and pledged Germany’s complete solidarity with France.
In the wake of the Nice terrorist attack, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged Germany’s complete solidarity with France. Speaking on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe summit (ASEM) in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator, she said that Germany stands in the fight against terrorism at France’s side. “And I am convinced that, despite all the difficulties, we shall win this fight.”
According to Merkel, all of those attending the summit are united in their feeling of disbelief at the “attack of mass murder in Nice”. She expressed her sympathy to French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at the summit, Merkel said, adding that France had been hit by terror on its national holiday, a holiday “which is a day of pride but has now become a day of great mourning”.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “Our thoughts and compassion go out to the victims, their relatives and the entire French nation. We are mourning together with France and stand firmly by their side in this difficult time.”
