OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier and OSCE Secretary General Zannier express strongest condemnation of Brussels terror attacks

BERLIN/VIENNA, 22 March 2016 - OSCE Chairperson‑in‑Office, Federal Foreign Minister Frank‑Walter Steinmeier and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier condemned today’s terrorist attacks in Brussels in strongest terms and offered their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the Belgian people and Government, and wished a speedy recovery to the many injured. They stressed the solidarity and the determination of the OSCE to contribute to the fight against terrorism.

Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier said: “These heinous attacks were directed against the heart of Europe. Perfidiously, the terrorists targeted defenseless people. In these hours of pain Europe is showing solidarity and closing ranks. Belgium does not stand alone, we all stand united. Our Belgian friends can rely on the firm support of Germany and the OSCE. Together, we are determined to stand up to the scourge of terrorism.”

 OSCE Secretary General Zannier said that now more than ever, we need to stand strong, together. “Fighting radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism has to be priority for us all. The threat posed by international terrorism has now reached a new dimension, which affects all OSCE participating States. We will only be able to defeat it through intense cooperation and dialogue, by addressing not only its immediate security aspects but also the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.” Zannier emphasized that terrorism can only be defeated through a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of state and civil society actors, as well as international and regional organizations.