The President of the Socialists & Democrats Group, Gianni Pittella traveled to Paris on Monday to show his respects at the Bataclan after the tragic events that occurred there on Friday night. He was accompanied by Pervenche Berès, leader of the delegation of French Socialists in the European Parliament, Guillaume Balas and Christine Revault Allonnes two elected MEPs in the Ile de France region and the Mayor of the 11th arrondissement, Francois Vauglin.
 
S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said:
 
"I wanted to go to Paris to express our sympathy to the families of the victims and solidarity with the French people. It's not just France that is targeted by terrorism but all that we stand for in Europe. These terrorists want to destroy our fundamental values and freedoms. We will not let them; we will never give in to terrorism.
 
"Terrorism knows no borders. It has hit this year in Denmark, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon and now again in Paris. Faced with these atrocities, we cannot isolate ourselves behind our own borders. We must stand united and find a common response.
 
"Today is not the time for divisions. More than ever we need a united and cohesive Europe."
 
Pervenche Berès, leader of the French Socialist delegation in the European Parliament added:
 
"Paris was targeted by terrorists because France has intervened on behalf of European values in Syria. The majority of refugees that have come to Europe in recent months have done so to escape these barbarians.
 
We must unite to fight against this terror wherever it appears. They attack our culture, the way we live together in diversity and our respect for secularism and of all religions. The enemy is clear. It is Daesh."