COPENHAGEN, 21 August 2016 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) issued the following statement in response to an apparent terrorist attack that has killed at least 50 people in Gaziantep, Turkey, Saturday night.

"I am deeply saddened by this horrific attack, the latest in a dreadful series of terrorist bombings to have struck Turkey. My heart goes out to those affected, and I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the victims. Terror has once again struck down too many innocent people, on a day that should have been filled with joy and excitement for the wedding couple.

"I utterly condemn this attack on behalf of OSCE parliamentarians. Having just visited Turkey earlier this week to learn more about last month's attempted coup and its aftermath, I want to reiterate our solidarity and the readiness of the OSCE to support Turkey as it addresses the many challenges facing the country."

President Muttonen led a high-level delegation to Turkey earlier this week and expressed the solidarity of the OSCE PA with Turkey and its people in the aftermath of last month's attempted seizure of power.

In early July, the OSCE PA adopted its annual Declaration in Tbilisi, Georgia, which called, inter alia, for stronger international co-operation on anti-terrorism measures and for the OSCE to redouble its efforts to help counter terrorism through pragmatic assistance and promotion of best practices.