Tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks of 22 March: speech held at the Place de la Nation.

Sire, Your Majesty,

Ms. President, Mr. President,

Mr. President of the European Commission,

Dear colleagues,

 

We dreaded a terrorist tragedy.
On the 22nd of March, it happened on our soil.
Our country and our people were struck in their very hearts.
This was an abominable, cruel and cowardly act.

All of our thoughts are with the victims, their families and their relatives.
Our thoughts are with the children who lost their mother or father.
Our thoughts are with the families that were torn apart.

Our thoughts are with all those who lost their partners, those who lost a friend, a relative, brutally, unfairly snatched from life.

Our thoughts are with the men and women who were injured, often gravely. And who will bear indelible scars on their bodies and in their hearts.

Our thoughts are also with the families who waited or are still waiting in anguish for news about their relatives.

Many of us have memories associated with the airport lobby. These memories were often shared with families, with friends.

The Brussels metro represents our capital's life. For many, it is associated with the habits of daily life. Going to work, to school, meeting up with friends. Reading a book or chatting with a colleague.

In Zaventem and at Maelbeek, it was the freedom of daily life that was massacred.
The same freedom which is the foundation of our democracy and our desire to live together in harmony.
The same freedom on which the European project is solidly built.

The cries of distress and pain, the howling of sirens and the apocalyptic images shall remain forever etched into all of us.

Like in Paris, Bamako, Tunis, Ankara… or the Jewish Museum in Brussels, blind and petty violence has once again struck.

We salute the dignity of the Belgian people who face this tragedy with solidarity, courage and a spirit of unity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
 

These are the worst attacks our people have ever had to face.
Our country is in shock. But we are also strong and determined.
This is a democracy that no-one can break.

Many people offered their help in the metro and in the airport. People who administered first aid to the victims. Or comforted the wounded.

This solidarity made a great difference for many people.
Many expressions of sympathy have poured in from around the world.

Also for our emergency and security services, our military, our police forces and all the hospital staff.

They saved lives and we cannot thank them enough for that.

We choose, now more than ever, to defend our values.

We shall not give in to hatred.

We shall remain together, united in solidarity.

All those directly or indirectly involved in these attacks must be punished.

The judicial system faces a difficult task in bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion. 

The investigation is currently underway.
 

And I wish to be clear: there can be no impunity.

The government calls for complete clarity about the perpetrators and the attacks.

We owe answers to the victims and their families.

We shall fight with the utmost respect for democracy and our rule of law. But we will continue to fight until radicalism and terrorism have been eradicated.

I say this with conviction: there shall be no impunity.

The government and the competent authorities will do everything possible to shed light on these attacks and the events linked to them.

There shall be no shadows in which to hide.

Democracy, freedom, the rule of law and tolerance are now more than ever our guiding lights helping us to keep moving forward. Together.