The Euronest parliamentary assembly, bringing together MEPs and MPs from Eastern neighbourhood states, opened on Tuesday with a minute’s silence in tribute to those who lost their lives in the Brussels terrorist attacks earlier that day. Co-chairs Heidi Hautala and Victor Dolidze of the Georgian Parliament, extended their condolences to the families and friends of the victims and stressed that co-operation between EU member states and their neighbours was now “more needed than ever”.

“We are deeply shocked at the horrific events that have taken place in Brussels today. We extend our condolences to all the families and dear ones of the victims”, said Ms Hautala and Mr Dolidze in their joint statement.

“These cowardly terrorist attacks highlight that cooperation between EU-members and their neighbours is more needed than ever to create stability and security on our continent. Only together can we defend our common European values of freedom, the rule of law and human rights which are the basis for a safe society”, they added.

The plenary convened with a reduced agenda adopting four reports and an urgent resolution on the verdict of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko. The sessions scheduled for Wednesday were cancelled.