I am deeply shocked – indeed, I am absolutely appalled – by the bloody attack on the office of “Charlie Hebdo” magazine in Paris.

We are extremely saddened to hear of the deaths of the victims of this murderous attack and extend our profound sympathy to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.

An act of terror like this in the heart of a European city against representatives of a free and critical press is despicable. This is a direct attack on our European values and on the freedom of our societies. We must do everything in our power to withstand it together.

At this difficult time, we stand even more closely side by side with our friends in France.