Those atrocious attacks have killed and wounded hundreds of people. I would like to express my solidarity, my compassion, and my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Our societies are founded on a social contract. A common understanding of fundamental values and principles, such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights, forms the basis for peaceful coexistence.
Such a social contract need not be constrained to the national level. It can also – and does – exist at the supra-national level. It is on this basis that, in Europe, Member States share sovereignty, most notably as some of us share a “currency beyond the state”.