Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the attack in Orlando

A man shot dead 50 people and left 53 injured in a gay nightclub in Orlando in the United States on the 11 June 2016. According to the FBI, prior to the attack he called 911 and swore allegiance to the Islamic State. Commentators in the media blamed the US's lax gun laws for the attack and feared consequences for the US presidential election campaign.

In a statement EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said 'The terrible attack which took place in Orlando, Florida last night claimed so many lives and left so many injured. It's a tragedy not only for the American people, but for the whole world as all the massacres of people killed for their faith, for their sexual orientations, for their beliefs, in many countries are'.

• Primary Source

Euro|Topics: Debates, June 2016: How will Orlando affect the US election? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/160678/massacre-in-orlando-nightclub

Council of Europe: Press Release, 13.06.16: Secretary General expresses his condolences to the United States http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/secretary-general-expresses-his-condolences-to-the-united-states

Politico, 13.06.16: Obama confronts a ‘lone wolf’ attack — again http://www.politico.eu/article/obama-confronts-a-lone-wolf-attack-again/

The Economist, 12.06.16: Massacre in Florida. Nightclub shooting in Orlando is the worst in American history http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/06/massacre-florida?

Euro|Topics: Debates, June 2016: Attack on the gay world http://www.eurotopics.net/en/160751/attack-on-the-gay-world

European Council: Statement, 14.06.16: Joint letter of President Donald Tusk and President Jean-Claude Juncker to US President Barack Obama following the attack in Orlando http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/06/14-joint-letter-tusk-juncker-orlando-attacks/

EurActiv, 15.06.16: Obama, Hollande discuss Florida shootout, Paris stabbing http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/obama-hollande-discuss-florida-shootout-paris-stabbing/

EurActiv, 13.06.16: FBI cautious on Islamic State link to Orlando shootout, despite claims http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/fbi-cautious-on-islamic-state-link-to-orlando-shootout-despite-claims/

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