Latvia strongly condemns terrorist attacks in Copenhagen

Latvia strongly condemns the terrorist attacks at a free speech event, near a train station and to a synagogue in Copenhagen yesterday and early today. Four people were killed and several injured during the attacks.

Latvia expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy and full recovery of those who were injured. Latvia conveys its solidarity with the Danish Government and people in defending democratic values against the terrorist attempts to intimidate the public. Such attempts to threaten democratic society and its citizens are predestined to fail.

We are confident that the perpetrators of the crime will be arrested and brought to justice.

The Latvian Presidency of the EU Council strongly believes that the counter-terrorism measures discussed in the Informal Meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Riga at the end of January must be implemented immediately. The Riga Joint Statement on Counter-Terrorism defines next steps for the European Union to prevent radicalisation, in particular on the internet, improve the exchange of information among the institutions concerned, implement the identification of travel routes of terrorists and an efficient EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) system as well as enhance the restriction and traceability of illicit trafficking of firearms.