Verklaring door woordvoerder eurocommissaris Ashton (buitenlands beleid) over recent sektarisch geweld in Irak (en)

EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 21 January 2011

A 021/11

Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the recent attacks across Iraq

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"High Representative Catherine Ashton strongly condemns the continuing acts of violence in Iraq.

The victims of Thursday's atrocious terrorist attacks were innocent Shia pilgrims heading to Karbala to celebrate the religious festival of Arbaeen. The High Representative also condemns Tuesday's attacks in Tikrit targeting persons devoted to building Iraq's security. The High Representative expresses her deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to the Iraqi Authorities. She commends the determination of the Iraqi people to reject extremism and combat sectarian tension. The European Union will continue to support Iraq in its efforts to ensure security for all its citizens and to reconstruct the country."

FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu Darren Ennis +32 498 963 293 - +32 2 296 32 93 - Darren.Ennis@ec.europa.eu COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu www.eeas.europa.eu