Foreign leaders shocked by the assassination of Shinzo Abe

LAST UPDATE: 18:48

Foreign leaders have expressed their deep sorrow over the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, hailing a “great patriot” and “world leader”, and strongly condemning his killing as a “heinous crime”.

Here are the reactions:

USA

US President Joe Biden expressed his outrage at the fatal shooting today of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, calling him a champion of the US-Japan alliance who cared deeply for the Japanese people and democracy.

“I am shocked, outraged and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan, has been shot and killed on the campaign trail. This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him,” Biden said. in his announcement.

“Even at the time he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy,” he added.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, opening his remarks at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, expressed his government’s “deep sadness and concern” over “the attempt on (former) Prime Minister Abe’s life”, adding that “the his thoughts and prayers” are with him.

Blinken lamented the loss of a “visionary leader.” Abe “has taken the relationship between our countries, the US and Japan, to the highest level,” Blinken added during a meeting with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali. , in Indonesia.

South Korea

The killing of Japan’s former prime minister is a “heinous crime,” South Korean President Yun Suk-geol said on news of Abe’s death.

“I express my solidarity and condolences to his family and the Japanese people for the loss of their longest-serving prime minister and a respected statesman,” Yun said in a statement released by the South Korean presidency.

The president of South Korea also sent his condolences to the wife of the former Japanese prime minister, Akie Abe.

EU

“Shocked and deeply saddened by the cowardly attack” against Japan’s former prime minister, European Council President Charles Michel said, calling Abe a “true friend, staunch defender of the multilateral order and democratic values.”

“The EU stands by Japan and (Prime Minister) Fumio Kishida in these difficult times. Our deepest solidarity with his family,” Charles Michel said in a tweet.

At the same time, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Dear Shinzo Abe, stay strong! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and the people of Japan.”

Russia

It is an “irreparable loss”, Russian President Vladimir Putin reacted today to the news of the assassination of the former prime minister of Japan.

“I wish you (…) courage in the face of this irreparable loss,” Putin said in a condolence cable sent to Abe’s mother and widow, according to a Kremlin statement. “Good memories of this special man will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew him,” Putin underlined.

The Kremlin spokesman had earlier expressed Russia’s “deep regret” over Abe’s murder, hailing a “great patriot” of Japan.

“We are deeply saddened by the news that came from Japan,” Peskov noted, condemning “categorically this attack.” Abe “was a great patriot” of Japan, he stressed, expressing his condolences to the Japanese people.

Moscow condemned “a monstrous crime” and a “terrorist act” after the attack on Abe. “We are convinced that those who organized and committed this monstrous crime will be severely punished for this terrorist act that has no and cannot have any justification,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“I don’t know what is behind this assassination attempt. I learned about it during the (G20) meeting. I was the first to start his speech by expressing regret for what happened to the Japanese colleague. There will probably be an investigation. No I have something else to add,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier from Bali, Indonesia, where he is attending the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.

France

“Japan is losing a great prime minister who dedicated his life to his country and worked to ensure order in the world,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet after news that Abe had succumbed to his earlier injuries. by armed attack.

France’s complete solidarity with Japan after the assassination of its former prime minister had been expressed a little earlier by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Germany

“Shocked and deeply saddened” by the news that Abe had succumbed to injuries from the attack earlier today, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

“We stand by Japan in these difficult times,” Scholz added in a message on Twitter, expressing his condolences to the family of the former Japanese prime minister.

Berlin also said it was “shocked” by the attack on Abe. “Shocked by the news of the attack on Shinzo Abe. My thoughts go out to him and his family,” German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock tweeted on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali.

Italy

“Devastated by the terrible attack” that claimed the life of Japan’s former prime minister, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also said today.

“Italy is devastated by the terrible attack on Japan and its free democratic dialogue,” Draghi said in a message expressing his condolences over Abe’s death.

The former prime minister of Japan “was a great protagonist of Japanese and international political life in recent decades thanks to his innovative spirit and reformist vision,” Draghi stressed, reiterating Italy’s solidarity “to his relatives, the government and to all the Japanese people”.

Britain

London stands with Japan in these dark hours after the “incredibly sad news” of Abe’s death in an assassination attack, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at the same time.

“Incredibly sad news for Shinzo Abe,” he tweeted. His ability “as a world leader through uncharted waters will be remembered by many. My thoughts go out to his family, his friends and the Japanese people,” Johnson said.

“Britain stands by you in these dark and sad hours,” he concluded.

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today mourned the loss of Shinzo Abe, a “great visionary,” hours after the former Japanese prime minister was assassinated.

“The killing of Shinzo Abe is extremely disturbing – and I am deeply saddened. The world has lost a great visionary and Canada a close friend,” the Canadian prime minister said in a tweet, sending his condolences to his wife of him, Aki, and to the Japanese.

New Zealand

“I was deeply shocked when I heard the news about former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He was one of the first leaders I had formally met when I became Prime Minister. He was deeply committed to his role and also generous and kind. I remember him asking me about the recent losing our pet when I met him, a small gesture, but it shows what kind of person he is. My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan. Events like this shake us to our core,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. in a statement he issued.

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said he was “devastated” by the attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whom he called a “dear friend”.

“Devastated by the attack on my dear friend Abe,” he wrote on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, along with his family and the Japanese people.”

Australia

“Shocking news from Japan that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot dead – our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a tweet.

Taiwan

The world has lost an important leader and Taiwan a friend, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen also noted as she expressed regret over Abe’s assassination.

“Not only has the international community lost an important leader, Taiwan has also lost an important and close friend. Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with the rule of law, and our government strongly condemns the violent and illegal actions,” she stressed. Tea in a statement released by her office.

Poland

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also said he was “shocked” by Abe’s death.

“Deeply shocked by the news of the assassination of Shinzo Abe,” he tweeted. “My thoughts are with the family of our Japanese friend who was always very kind to Poland. May he rest in peace.”

NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he too was “deeply shocked” by the “heinous” attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and assured that the alliance, of which Tokyo is a close ally, “stands by” the Japanese and of their government.

“Deeply shocked by the heinous attack against Shinzo Abe as he addressed voters. My thoughts go out to him and his family. NATO stands with the people of our close partner Japan and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.

SOURCE: APE-ME