EU leaders pledge to stand united in fight against terrorism

Heads of state or government of the European Union (EU) member states and leaders of EU institutions on Saturday pledged to stand united in the fight against terrorism, after the Islamic State attack in Paris.

"The European Union is deeply shocked and in mourning after the terrorist attacks in Paris," Xinhua quoted the leaders as saying in a joint statement.

The statement said the EU countries will stand united with the French people and the government.

The leaders of 28 EU member states and EU institutions, namely the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, vowed to face terrorism with all necessary means and ruthless determination.

"Everything that can be done at the European level to make France safe will be done. We will do what is necessary to defeat extremism, terrorism and hatred," they said, noting that "it is an attack against us all".

With a belief of "good is stronger than evil", the leaders said this shameful act of terrorism will only achieve the opposite of its purpose, which was to divide, frighten, and sow hatred.

The EU leaders decided to observe one minute of silence in memory of the victims at noon on Monday across the European countries.

"We Europeans will all remember November 13, 2015 as a European day of mourning," the statement said.

A series of terror attacks in and around Paris killed at least 120 people and wounded some 200 others on Friday night.