Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my honour to welcome you here today, to mark the 14th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism.
We came all here today with very heavy hearts.
Every year, we commemorate more victims.
More lives lost. More lives shattered. In Europe and beyond,terrorism represents the worst of mankind.
Senseless violence against the innocent. Nihilism.
Hateful destruction. A direct attack on values we hold most dear: democracy, freedom, tolerance.
A proliferation of victims.
Those that lose their lives, and those that continue to live in suffering.
For far too long, far too many of these victims still in life, have suffered in silence.
This silence only compounds their suffering and the trauma of their experience.
At a time, when it feels that the world is becoming ever more insular and polarised, we must gather all our strength to work against that.
We cannot allow extremism to breed and fragment our society or prey on those who feel disadvantaged and marginalised.
You, the victims, the families and friends of the victims, are the most genuine ambassadors we have, to prevent others from being misled to acts of terrorism.
You will no longer suffer in silence. A Europe that protects leaves no victims behind.
The necessary laws are being put in place across the Union to protect your rights: as victims in a general sense, but also as terrorism victims more particularly.
By the end of September, all Member States will have these laws in place.
Victims of terrorism across the Union will have: immediate and free access to professional, specialist support services for as long as necessary;
advice on legal, financial and practical matters; assistance with compensation claims; access to medical treatment;access to legal aid; and protection measures for criminal proceedings.
President Juncker has appointed a special advisor to look at your specific needs, and propose further action.
Joelle Milquet, an experienced Belgian politician, is here to listening to you carefully.
This afternoon, she will host a special seminar for this reason.
We are also funding a special Coordination Centre for Victims of Terrorism, that will soon be set up to connect the dots across our Member States and back their efforts to support you.
Our Radicalisation Awareness Network, which co-organised today’s Commemoration, will remain very active in bringing you together and offering guidance to your associations.
The bottom line of all this, is: our solidarity, our empathy, and our acknowledgement that we need to do better in responding to your needs.
Europe is standing united against terrorism, and will continue to do so, in support of its victims.
Let me thank you for coming here today, and for allowing us to hear your testimonies. I understand that this is not easy.
I know, for many of you, your pain must still be very raw.
Your bigness of heart to be here today, and speak so openly about your experiences, is all the more remarkable.
I am both humbled and moved by your courage.
Your stories, your suffering, are not, and must never be in vain.
We must continue to find ways to support and to empower you and to ensure your voices are heard over the cacophony of hateful propaganda.