Croatia expresses condolences to the Spanish government and people.
According to information which is currently available to us, there were no Croatian citizens injured in yesterday’s terrorist attack in Barcelona, as well as in the overnight attack in Cambrils, announced the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, reports Večernji List on August 18, 2017.
The Ministry added that the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Madrid was in constant contact with the Spanish authorities, both in Madrid and in Barcelona.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić expressed condolences to her Spanish counterpart Alfonso Maria Dastis on the occasion of the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils. She said that Croatia stood together with Spain in the joint fight against terrorism.
“We are disgusted with this horrible act, and we are determined to defeat the fundamental European values and to continue with the joint fight against every form of terrorism,” said Croatia’s chief diplomat in her message, adding that “the news about the cruel attacks that took place in Barcelona and Cambrils and the suffering of a large number of innocent people has upset us deeply.”
“In these difficult moments for your country, we send our expressions of condolence to the families of the victims, as well as the wishes for the quick recovery of the injured persons,” said the message.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed his condolences to the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. “Dear Prime Minister, we were deeply disturbed by the news of the attack in the centre of Barcelona, where many innocent people were killed. We strongly condemn this terrorist act. Croatia stands alongside Spain in combating terrorism and defending fundamental European values. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and myself, I sent to you, the whole Spanish people, especially the families of the victims, our expressions of profound and sincere condolences, and I want the injured to recover as quickly as possible.”
According to the international media, Spain was hit by its worst terrorist attack in more than a decade on Thursday, when a van driver plowed into dozens of people enjoying a sunny afternoon on one of Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfares, killing at least 13 people and leaving 80 bloodied on the pavement. Hours later, the Catalan police said they foiled a second vehicular attack, in the seaside town of Cambrils, 70 miles to the south, fatally shooting four people. A fifth died later of wounds, the police said. The suspects appeared to be wearing explosive belts, though these devices were later found to be fake, police said. Six civilians and one police officer were injured during the episode, the Catalan emergency services said.
The Barcelona attack was at least the sixth time in the past few years that assailants using vehicles as deadly weapons have struck a European city.
Translated from Večernji List.
