The Balearic government today issued an official statement condemning the Nice terrorist attack, adding that the government was "profoundly shocked" by what had happened. A minute's silence was held in various parts of the Balearics, with the presidential headquarters - the Consolat de Mar - being the main focus. President Armengol was joined by the French consul, Michel Magnier, his counterpart from Morocco, Hanane Saadi, the president of the Council of Majorca, Miquel Ensenyat, the mayor of Palma, José Hila, and a number of French citizens.
President Armengol stressed that security guidelines set out by the Spanish government will continue to be followed rigorously, reiterating that the Balearics is a safe destination but accepting that it is difficult to control everything. She expressed her revulsion at an act of "barbaric terrorism" and on behalf of the people of the Balearics voiced her full support for the French people and the families of the victims and the wounded. She highlighted the values that France represents: liberty, democracy and respect.
The French consul said that this was the third time in recent months that he had gone to the presidential HQ to honour victims of terrorist attacks in France. He made clear that the "fanatics are not going to gain anything", as the French people will continue to live normally, raising their children to enjoy the values of the Republic of France.
"We will continue to travel, to go to the airport. We will continue to go to restaurants with our friends and assume any risk because our Western civilisation and values are what are being questioned."
There are "many broken families" in France, he added, and wished to thank once more the Spanish people for their solidarity as well as that of the Balearic government, the Council of Majorca, the town hall in Palma and other institutions. "The Spanish nation, a sister nation, has been with France during some very difficult moments."
He acknowledged that there was a "real underlying problem" with the radicalisation of younger French people and their conversion to terrorism. It needs to be studied. "The Muslim world," he emphasised, "is not a world of war, and those few who wish to cause confrontation between us and others will not win. We will continue to live and to smile."
There was a message of calmness for French citizens living in the Balearics, although he appreciated that things were difficult to ignore. "The whole of France was yesterday having a party."
Visibly moved, he concluded: "Vive la France. Vive le République. And long live the friendship between France and Spain."
Morocco's consul offered "a message of deep sympathy" for the victims and their families. As a Muslim he felt "his faith was deeply wounded because the Muslim faith has never called for the murder of people." He observed that among the victims of terrorism are more Muslims than Westerners, adding: "The so-called Islamic State is losing ground and combatants. It is in a phase of desperation, a desperation that turns into madness."
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