The European Union on Saturday condemned the terrorist attacks in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik and conveyed its sympathy and condolences to the Egyptian people. European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso said EU headquarters was «ready to provide any assistance it can to the Egyptian authorities.» He expressed «horror and outrage» at the attacks in which at least 75 people died, AP reported. «I express our heartfelt sympathy and total solidarity with the victims of these cowardly acts and their families, and with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian people. The commission unreservedly condemns terrorist violence, which destroys innocent lives and cannot be justified in any circumstances,» Barroso's statement said. In a separate statement, EU foreign and security affairs chief Javier Solana said, «I am shocked by the terrorist attacks committed in Sharm el-Sheik.» «I condemn in the strongest terms these barbaric acts against innocent civilians of all nationalities.» Solana said «no cause justifies terrorism, which is an aggression against the universal values of civilization that we share without distinction of culture, language or religion. I also extend my condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the governments of the other countries who have lost nationals in these attacks.» British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, whose country now holds the EU presidency, spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit to reiterate Europe's support and praise the work of Egyptian rescue services «who are dealing with the consequences of this appalling incident.» «The EU condemns the terrorist attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh and Naama Bay ... I send our condolences and sympathies to the families of all the victims caught up in this terrible attack,» Straw said in a statement issued on behalf of all 25 EU nations.
