Off the wire
• Feature: Crowds gather at Hastings to watch replay of decisive English battle  • Second China-Russia Expo opens  • Feature: Artistic White Night in Bratislava attracts dozens of thousands visitors  • Beijing's Zhongguancun focuses on serving innovation, start-ups  • Palestinian pregnant woman, toddler killed in Israeli airstrike, Hamas warns escalation  • 1st LD: Iraqi air force hits convoy of IS top leader  • Urgent: Iraqi air force hits convoy of IS top leader  • Commentary: West-led Color Revolution backfires as refugee crisis worsens  • China condemns terrorist bombings in Ankara, Turkey  • Israel to step up measures against Palestinian rock throwers  
You are here: 　 Home

1st Ld-Writethru: EU officials postpone visit to Turkey after attacks in Ankara

Xinhua, October 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Johannes Hahn postponed a tour to Turkey slated on Sunday, on request of the Turkish authorities to respect the nation's three days of mourning after the deadly attacks in Ankara.

The announcement was made by the commission here on Sunday.

The EU officials' visit was scheduled to continue negotiations over a draft action plan on tackling refugee crisis proposed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Oct. 5.

The European Commission said it hoped to be able to reschedule the visit for next Wednesday.

"We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Our sympathy goes to the Turkish people and authorities," said the commission press release.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, and Commissioner Johannes Hahn had expressed the condolences to the families of the victims on Saturday.

Mogherini and Hahn on Saturday said in a statement that the EU "stand by all people in Turkey who work together to counter violence and terrorism," noting that EU's partnership and engagement with the Turkish authorities and Turkish society is stronger than ever at all levels.

The explosions on Saturday rocked a train station in central Ankara where several unions, civic society organizations and pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party were due to hold a rally protesting conflict between the state and Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey. Death toll of the twin blasts has risen to 95 so far. Endit