EU leaders start summit with silence honoring earthquake victims

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – The EU leaders honored on Thursday the victims of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria with a minute of silence at the start of their summit.

“The extraordinary European Council has just started with a minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria,” Barend Leyts, the spokesperson of the institution’s president, Charles Michel announced on Twitter.

On the way to the meeting, several EU leaders expressed deep regret over the earthquake.

For his part, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda sent condolences “to the nation of Turkey from “the bottom of our hearts.”

He reassured that “Lithuania is ready to support the countries that suffered this terrible earthquake.”

Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas also expressed regret over the catastrophe, and explained that her country swiftly sent 45 rescue workers with equipment to Türkiye two days ago.

EU leaders are expected to discuss the bloc’s support for Ukraine, migration and economic affairs at their two-day summit.

At least 14,014 people were killed and 62,937 others injured others injured after a strong earthquake hit southern Türkiye on Monday morning, according to the country's disaster agency.