The Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament expresses shock and sorrow at the terrorist attacks that took place in Tunisia's resort town of Sousse on 26 June 2015 resulting in 39 dead, with victims from 17 nationalities. The group offers sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and expresses solidarity with the government and people of Tunisia. The S&D Group condemns in the strongest terms this attack, which claimed the lives of so many innocent people and injured many others.
By bringing down the Tunisian tourism sector and as a consequence its economy, the terrorists want to break the Tunisian state, destabilize its democracy and its fragile political transition process. It is not by chance that this terrorist attack took place in Tunisia, as it is the most advanced example of an Arab country successfully introducing democracy while defending fundamental values and liberties.
S&D Group president Gianni Pittella stated:
"The European Union must be in the front line to support Tunisia both economically and politically. In these difficult days Tunisia deserves our solidarity; the country and its thousands of young unemployed need a sign of hope and the EU should help its neighbour without any hesitation.
"The S&D Group has asked to add to next week's Strasbourg plenary agenda a debate with the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, on EU support for Tunisia."
