I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Belgian population, to the many wounded, to the families and close ones of those unjustifiably affected by the explosions this morning at Zaventem airport and the Maelbeek Metro Station. I would also like to express my full support for and solidarity with the Belgian authorities.

I would also like to commend the security forces, the first responders and all those who have helped victims and are still doing so now.

I would also like to reassure the employees of the Commission and the European institutions that their security remains a priority for us and that all possible measures will be taken in concert with the Belgian authorities.

These attacks have hit Brussels today, Paris yesterday – it is Europe as a whole that has been targeted. The European Union and the European Institutions must stay united in face of terrorism.

These events have affected us, but they have not made us afraid. We will continue our work, to face the terrorist threat together, and to bring European solutions to questions that concern us all.