Off the wire
• Daech (Islamic State) responsible of Paris attacks: Hollande  • Hollande chairs emergency defense meeting after deadly Paris attacks  • Weather forecast for world cities -- Nov. 14  • China-India Yoga College opens in Kunming  • Weather forecast for major Chinese cities, regions -- Nov. 14  • Major news items in leading German newspapers  • Cambodian PM condemns Paris attacks, shares condolences with victims' families  • Egyptian court sentences 7 Islamists to death over killing policemen  • Israeli army demolishes West Bank homes of Palestinian attackers  • Bangladeshi leaders condemn deadly terrorist attacks in France  
You are here: 　 Home

Latvia condemns acts of terror in Paris, mourns victims

Xinhua, November 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Latvia on Saturday joined other nations of the world in their condemnation of the series of terror attacks in Paris that took the lives of more than 100 innocent people last night.

Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis said in his statement that Latvia is in its thoughts with the victims of the attacks and their relatives.

Strongly denouncing the acts of terror in Paris, the Latvian president also wished a speedy recovery of those wounded in the attacks and resilience of the French nation in the wake of the horrific events.

"It is already quite clear that these vicious attacks targeted residents of the French capital and represent a challenge to public order and the fundamental values of civil society. The ruthless and barbaric attacks in Paris are yet another reminder to the international community of the necessity to act jointly and with all the might at our disposal to combat terrorism and violent extremism," the Latvian foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

"We convey the deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed and wish to the people of France the strength and resilience to stand firm in the face of this horrendous crime," the ministry said.

Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs offered his deepest sympathies to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, residents of the capital city and the French nation.

Sandra Kalniete, a Latvian member of the European Parliament and Latvia's former ambassador to France, posted an appeal on social media calling on people to gather by the French embassy in Riga on Saturday afternoon to remember the victims of the terror attacks in Paris.

"I am calling to remember the victims of all terror attacks and to show solidarity with the French people by gathering outside the French embassy in Riga," the Latvian MEP said.

People have been flocking to the French embassy in downtown Riga to lay flowers and light candles already since early Saturday morning.

More than 120 people were killed and about 200 wounded in a series of explosions and shootings staged by suspected Islamic militants in Paris on Friday night. Endit