July 1 () –
The European Union has moved its strong condemnation of the act of burning the Koran in Sweden while calling for calm and an end to the attacks on the diplomatic headquarters of the Scandinavian country, particularly in Iraq.
Brussels assures that it fully shares the position of the Swedish Foreign Ministry in its condemnation of the burning of the holy book carried out by an individual in the middle of the Muslim festival of Eid al Adha.
“This is an act that in no way reflects the opinion of the European Union. The burning of the Koran or any other sacred book is an offensive, disrespectful act and, of course, it is a provocation,” the EU has indicated.
“These manifestations of racism, xenophobia or any related act of intolerance have no place in Europe and it is even more deplorable to have occurred in the middle of such an important celebration,” added the statement from the Brussels External Action Service, published this Saturday.
However, the EU has wanted to call for calm, particularly in Iraq — where thousands of people once again took to the streets of the capital, Baghdad, a day after the assault on the Swedish diplomatic headquarters in the country –, before to “condemn the attacks against the diplomatic headquarters”.
“Now is the time to stay together in favor of mutual understanding and respect, as well as to avoid any new escalation,” the EU settles before communicating its support for “freedom of religion, belief and expression, both at the national level like abroad.”
