OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier strongly condemns deadly Istanbul attack

VIENNA, 12 January 2016 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today condemned in the strongest terms the act of terror perpetrated on a tourist site in Istanbul that killed at least 10 people and left another 15 wounded.

“I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, to Germany which currently holds the OSCE Chairmanship, as well as to Turkey and all other countries whose citizens may have been affected by this cowardly act. I wish a speedy recovery to the wounded and my thoughts are with all those who are still in uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones,” said the OSCE Secretary General.

“This is the second act of terrorism perpetrated on Turkish soil within a short time and it struck the heart of Istanbul, a city which has been for centuries a bridge between Europe and Asia. We must stand united and mobilize our efforts in the fight against terrorism. We must in particular address the root causes of radicalization that leads to violent extremism, while at the same time ensuring respect for the rule of law and human rights in our fight against terrorism,” stressed Zannier.

“The OSCE will continue to work with and support all its participating States and Partners for Co-operation in their efforts to counter violence and terrorism,” stated Zannier.