Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis strongly condemned the terror attack in Nice, stating that the scourge of terrorism must be countered.
“I strongly condemn the frightful attack that occurred last night in Nice on France’s National Day. Terror has once again stricken the French people, Europe. A day of celebration turned into a day of mourning after a criminal hand took the lives of tens of people, leaving more than one hundred injured. The scourge of terrorism must be countered, while cruel actions must be stopped, and we only can do so united against those who have no justification for their actions,” Iohannis posted on Facebook on Friday.
He also extended condolences to the families of the victims, wishing strength to the injured. “Romania is with France in these horribly painful moments,” said Iohannis.
President Iohannis was also the first to sign in the condolences book at the French Embassy in Bucharest on Friday, while litting a candle and keeping a moment of silence in the memory of the Nice victims.
“(…) This tragedy engage us more in countering the terrorism scourge by jointly and firmly combining our efforts. I assure France-as I also did yesterday, here at the embassy on the occasion of Julye 14 celebration-that it can count on Romania in this effort. Sincere condolences!” the Romanian head of state wrote.
Later on Friday, PM Ciolos also posted a message on Facebook.
“France is in tears. In Nice the joy of celebrating the National Day turned into a drama. The lives of tens of people who were celebrating freedom, equality and fraternity have been reaped in an inhuman action. In these moments, Romania is standing by France, by the French people which is once again beaten by an attack of a violence without a name. I extend my condolences to the unconsoled families and I wish strength to all those who are going through this hardship,” reads the premier’s post.
Former president Traian Basescu also condemned the deadly attack, saying it showed the hideous face of terrorism: the cynicism.
“When a whole nation enjoys National Day celebrations, a scamp with a truck cut down over 80 lives while other hundreds of people are injured. This proves terrorism’ hideous face: the cynicism. Frankly, I have this feeling that it happened in Romania (…) It could happen anywhere in civilized Europe, you have the feeling that, as European citizen, you have been also the victim of this potshot,” Traian Basescu told RFI.
Romanian FM Lazar Comanescu personally presented his condolences to his French counterpart for the Nice attack’s victims. Comanescu and French FM Jean-Marc Ayrault are attending the ASEM Summit.
“The entire Romanian nation is with our French friends in these terrible moments. In one year, France is facing a third such brutal acts,” FM Comanescu said.
In his turn, Romanian Defence minister Mihnea Motoc condemned the attack, arguing full solidarity is needed to fight terrorism. “(…) Yesterday we were celebrating France’s National Day also in Bucharest, under the generous aegis of <Creative France>, today we wake up with the terrible news of a new bloodshed, where two Romanians were also injured,” Motoc said.
Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu also extended his condolences to the French nation, while wondering about the intelligence service’s role in the fight against terrorism. “ It’s getting more and more incomprehensible how come the intelligence services in countries with a lot of experience in the fight against terrorism prove to be inefficient in preventing and stopping the crimes against totally innocent civilians, just the way happened in Nice,” Tariceanu stated.
The chairman of the Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea extended condolences to the French families who lost someone in Nice’s attack, also expressing hope the injured will live and get over the upcoming period.
The co-chairwoman of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Alina Gorghiu said that terrorism could and would not ever win, while wishing the two Romanian injured in the attack strength and to recover soon.