The international community has unanimously condemned the terrorist attack in Ankara, which claimed the lives of 28 people.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed hope that the criminals will be punished. "The Secretary General hopes that the perpetrators of this terrorist attack will be swiftly brought to justice. He sends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United Nations stands in solidarity with the people and the government of Turkey at this tragic time," RIA Novosti cited a statement of his press service as saying.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also expressed support for Turkey. "I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to the Turkish people. My thoughts are also with those who have been wounded. There can be no justification for such horrific acts. NATO Allies stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism," he said in a statement.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, expressed their solidarity with the Turkish people.
"Another terrible attack hit the center of Ankara tonight. The EU extends condolences to the families of the victims killed in the attack and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. Our fullest sympathy goes to the Turkish people and authorities. We are with Turkey and its people in these difficult times and stand by all those who suffer the consequences of such violence, and of terrorism," the European External Action Service (EEAS) cited the joint statement as saying.
The position of the United States was expressed by the US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner. "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack on Turkish military personnel and civilians today in Ankara. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wish a quick recovery to those injured. We reaffirm our strong partnership with our NATO ally Turkey in combating the shared threat of terrorism," he said.
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent a message of condolence to Turkey. "The Federal Government condemns this recent terrorist act in the strongest terms. I extend condolences to the families of the victims killed in the attack and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. I'm telling the Turkish people: we as Germans are sharing your pain. In the battle against those responsible for these inhuman acts we are on the side of Turkey," the message says.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted that the details are not yet known. "But if the media reports are true and it is a terrorist attack, then this is a new despicable act of violence in Turkey. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, I wish a speedy recovery to the wounded," he said.
"Sad news about a terrorist attack in Ankara. Terrorism is not a solution but evil to be condemned. Ukraine is with Turkey," the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko wrote on his Twitter page.
