Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 14
Trend:
French Ambassador in Baku Aurelia Bouchez has expressed her gratitude to the people of Azerbaijan for having shared France's pain following terrorist attacks in Paris.
Bouchez, speaking to reporters Nov. 14, said a book of condolences would be available for signing at the French Embassy next week.
She further said the French president declared three days of mourning throughout France.
"Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev offered condolences this morning to the people and president of France, and said he shares the pain and supports the French people," said the ambassador. "France highly appreciates this."
Bouchez noted that French President Francois Hollande spoke twice today.
"In his speech, the president of France said he would always defend the values of freedom and the tolerance of the French people," said the ambassador.
"The president of France also noted that what has taken place is an act of war committed by a terrorist army against France, against the values protected by us, against a free country," noted Bouchez.
Numerous terrorist attacks were conducted in Paris on Nov. 13-14, when four gunmen systematically slaughtered at least 87 young people attending a rock concert at the Bataclan music hall.
Some 40 more people were killed in five other attacks in the Paris region, including during an apparent double suicide bombing outside the national stadium where French president Hollande and German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier were watching a friendly soccer international.
Some 200 people were injured.