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Euro 2016 not under risk, Austrian FM

Xinhua, November 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz Wednesday stated he believes the recent Paris terror attacks will not put a hold on the UEFA Euro 2016 football championship to be hosted by France.

At a press conference in Vienna, Kurz said he has been in contact with his counterparts from other EU states, and noted that it is the job of the political system to provide a safe environment for such events.

Concerning Austria's participation, he said "it is clear that we must take part."

He noted that it is also important not to let terrorists dictate terms, and that "we will not give up our core values or change our lifestyle."

Kurz acknowledged however that the event may have to be run differently, particularly where security safeguards are concerned.

Regarding the cancellation of two friendly matches on Tuesday, between Germany and Holland, and Belgium and Spain, he said while it was difficult to concede that terrorists had gotten their way, he could understand the decision due to the "concrete information" German authorities had received of plans to detonate explosives at the stadium in Hannover. Endit