The Presidency of the European Union condemns in the strongest terms the attack on the minarets of the al-Askari shrine in Samarra. The Muslim holy site was already the target of an attack in February 2006.
The clear goal behind this serious act of aggression is to cause the sectarian violence in Iraq to escalate further and to spark ethnic-religious violence.
The Presidency of the European Union is following this development with great concern. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to the victims of the attack and their families.
The Presidency of the European Union appeals to the Iraqi Government and people to do everything they can to put a stop to the violence and enable the various religious groups to co-exist peacefully. The perpetrators must be found and brought to justice in a trial conducted in accordance with the rule of law.
