Messages of support for Turkey from EU leaders

The leaders of the European Union (EU) gave messages of support to Turkey due to the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes that affected 10 provinces centered in Kahramanmaraş.

The leaders answered questions from members of the press ahead of the Extraordinary Summit of EU Leaders held in Brussels. EU mandate chairman Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the summit will discuss the Ukraine-Russia war, the possible impact of the US climate package on EU industry and refugees, as well as the assistance that can be provided for the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Referring to his country’s and the EU’s support for those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Austrian Prime Minister Karl Nehammer expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the earthquake and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis stressed that the summit took place in the shadow of the earthquake disaster that hit Turkey and Syria, saying that Greece was ready to help both countries.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the priority in Turkey and Syria is to save the people under the rubble.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed his sadness over the earthquakes in Turkey, saying: “The earthquake is terrible, but nothing can be done against nature. We convey our heartfelt condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and to Turkey,” he said.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas also stated that they are in solidarity because of the earthquake in Turkey, saying, “Currently, our 45-person rescue team is in Turkey with their team. We are a small country and we can only send a rescue team to one country. This is what we can do,” he said. (AA)