On behalf of the Belgian government, I wish to express my condolences to François Hollande, Manuel Valls and to the French people.

Unfortunately, once again, France has been the scene of a barbaric act of terrorism.

Our thoughts go out first and foremost to the victims and their families.

I wish to tell them that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them and that we share their sorrow.

On behalf of the Belgian government, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the President of the French Republic, François Hollande.

Our country was a victim of the dramatic attacks of 22 March of this year and we know what it means to be the target of terrorism.
 

The attack in Nice has claimed many dead and injured.
France was attacked on its national holiday.
We are outraged.
But fear cannot be the driving force in our life.

We face an international threat.
The perpetrator of this attack clearly wanted to hurt as many people as possible.

I also wish to pay tribute to the security services, our police and our army, for their bravery and determination.

We must keep a cool head. The fight is not over.

Currently, we do not know if there are Belgians among the victims.
Our consular services are in contact with the French authorities.

Many of our fellow Belgians are on holiday in the South of France.

Foreign Affairs has set up an emergency number for those who are worried about friends and family. That number is 02/501 40 00.

The Belgian National Security Council has taken note of the evaluation by the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (OCAM/OCAD), which is keeping the threat level at 3 on a scale of 4.
Security measures had already been taken. They will be enhanced and adjusted in the light of Belgian National Day on 21 July.