Messages of condolences from Heads of State following the shooting incident in Kauhajoki

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 24 September 2008 (updated 29 September)

Several Heads of States have presented their condolences following the shooting incident in Kauhajoki on 23 September.

According President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, the news about the tragedy has been received with shock and heartfelt sympathy in Russia. In the message of condolences to President of the Republic Tarja Halonen, President Medvedev sends sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims and wishes of support and fast recovery to those injured. President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, the current holder of the EU Presidency, expresses deepest sorrow on his own behalf, and on behalf of the people of France, at the tragic and traumatic incident and extends condolences to the families of the victims, to the students and teachers at the Kauhajoki education centre as well as to the Finnish people. Messages of condolences have also been presented by King of Sweden Carl Gustaf, President of Ireland Mary McAleese, President of Portugal Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of Hungary László Sólyom, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, President of Turkey Abdullah Gül, President of Poland Lech Kaczynski and President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič, among others.

In addition, several Heads of State have expressed their condolences personally to President Halonen and to the Finnish delegation in connection with the United Nations General Assembly in New York. These include, among others, the Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria and Chile as well as the UK Prime Minister.