Ambassador Wagner,
Members of Parliament and Government,
Distinguished guests,
Dear American friends,
9/11: a day that dramatically changed or ended so many innocent lives.
9/11: a day on which international terrorism, based on ideological extremist views, showed its determination to attack our democracies, our economic system and our way of life.
9/11: a day that laid the ground for defending together our free societies.
Today, grief and friendship bring us together on the grounds of the US Embassy. With sadness in our hearts, we remember the numerous innocent lives that were so brutally killed on that morning, and the lives of their families that changed forever. On behalf of the Government and people of Luxembourg, let me tell you once again that we mourn with you and that we shall never forget the too numerous victims, as we shall always remember those who died in other terrorist attacks.
There is no justification for terrorism. And our free democratic societies have a duty to defend themselves against those who abuse the freedom granted to them, to kill.
International terrorism can harm our societies, it cannot destroy them: because democracies are stronger than individual criminals. But we will only diminish the risk of terrorist attacks if all free nations join their forces to stop the terrorists.
Efficient prevention and repression of international terrorism require cooperation. Cooperation means first and foremost exchange of information between the security services and the judicial authorities of our countries.
We strongly believe in the same constitutional rights than the American people: Freedom, democracy, justice. Our community of values needs a community of action. If we are divided, our enemies are strong; if we are united, terrorists will not succeed. The Luxembourg Government believes in a strong transatlantic partnership on global security issues: in World War II, after 9/11, today and tomorrow.
Dear American friends,
Luxembourg shares your grief. Luxembourg knows what it owes to America. In this terrible ordeal, the people of Luxembourg stand by the American people.