Marina Pina
Updated Monday, March 11, 2024-13:25
Tribute The European Commission is preparing a great event for the 20th anniversary of 11-M with the Kings and high European representation
FVT "We will never accept the legitimization of any form of terrorism"
King Felipe VI has insisted on the anniversary of the 11-M attacks that we must maintain the memory of "
all the victims
of terrorism, wherever they come from and wherever they act."
It is the second time that the King echoes this phrase, which he already uttered
just a year ago
.
But the Monarch said it during the closing of the central event commemorating the European Day of Victims of Terrorism.
An event organized in Madrid by the
European Commission
with the help of the national government, which has had representation from the Government and the Legislative Branch.
To know more
20th anniversary of 11-M.
11-M, prescribed crime: the judicial journey and the unsolved unknowns of the terrorist massacre that changed Spain
Editor: MANUEL MARRACO Madrid
11-M, prescribed crime: the judicial journey and the unsolved unknowns of the terrorist massacre that changed Spain
Before the gaze of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Ministers of the Interior, Fernando Grande Marlaska;
Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares;
Transport, Oscar Puente;
and the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, the Head of State has assured that "the history of terrorism in Europe is the history of shared suffering."
But also of solidarity.
Because, as Don Felipe recalled, "where there has been an attack there has always been
an extraordinary social response
."
The Monarch has spoken these words with full knowledge, since the Royal Family has dedicated itself since it learned the magnitude of the attacks to trying to comfort the victims.
"Most of us here
remember perfectly
where we were that fateful morning," he said.
"In seconds or minutes we were all clear about the malicious and murderous nature of that horror that instantly caused a knot in our stomach," he confessed.
JAVIER SORIANOAFP
Don Felipe, who was two months away from his wedding, went with Letizia Ortiz and Doña Sofía to the Gregorio Marañón, Doce de Octubre and El Clínico hospitals to accompany the victims.
"We very much remember
the excited
and silent concentrations that arose spontaneously throughout our geography that Thursday."
The King also led, along with Infantas
Elena
and
Cristina
, the demonstration that followed the attack.
He recalled that "solidarity crossed borders."
"The victims of terrorism are
an ethical reference
in our democratic systems," claimed Felipe VI, who has spoken on numerous occasions about the memory of the victims.
For this reason, he has asked to "promote
policies of recognition
and memory" because "memory, together with justice and truth, is a commitment that just societies make with victims to restore and protect their dignity."
Delving into the memory, Don Felipe has insisted that terrorism must be prevented with
"ambitious policies"
and has called for "promoting the
study
of the history of terrorism in classrooms and transferring testimonies of the victims to the public space" as "the best pedagogy against radicalization".
The Monarch's speech occurred at the end of an event where the European Commissioner
Margaritis Schinas
and
Ylva Johansson,
Commissioner for the Interior of the European Union, were also present.
That before the King they have been able to hear the testimony of three victims representing terrorism in Europe.
This is
Ana Cristina López,
who did not get to take the train on March 11 because her shift was changed.
However, the terrorists killed her husband.
Rudolf Kaniski
was a victim of the Brussels attack on March 22, 2016 when he was on his way to work;
and
Elina Pavoncello,
who was in the synagogue in Rome when an attack occurred in October 1982 and concluded in her words: "Life always wins."
"Terrorism cannot divide us"
Schinas has recognized that "it is a sad and bitter anniversary, but also loaded with symbolism and hope."
The vice president of the European Commission wanted to send several messages, the first being that "the
memory
of this brutal attack will remain engraved in our hearts."
He later recalled that terrorists seek to "weaken" democracies.
"The threat of all terrorists and totalitarianism is the strength of our democracy," he concluded.
And along those lines, she has announced that "our democracy will not stop flying, it is our flag. We Europeans know a lot about pain and hatred, Europe was born in a project of peace,
terrorism cannot divide us."