11 September: Attacks showed the “importance” of alliances and unity

Na statement released on the eve of the 25th anniversary of September 11, Ursula von der Leyen considered that the attacks were “the event with the greatest consequences in the turn of the century”.

The attacks came “to strengthen the importance of alliances and collective security. Europe knew immediately which side it was on. We were on the side of America,” Von der Leyen pointed out, recalling that, “for the first and only time in its history, NATO invoked Article 5.”.

“An attack on one was an attack on all. We have been united in defending the principles that unite us on both sides of the Atlantic: freedom and democracy”, he stressed in the statement.

The President of the European Commission said that 25 years later the threats “changed” and again see “turbulent geopolitical waters, marked by rivalry between major powers, war and confrontation between states”.

“ But the 9/11 lesson remains. In times of danger, our alliances are important. Our unit is important. And the values we have chosen to defend are important,” he said, after a year in which the President of the United States, Donald Trump, repeatedly threatened to leave NATO, militaryly annex the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland and impose tariffs on the European Union (EU).

The President of the European Commission also pointed out that on September 11, 2001, “the people responsible for the attacks wanted to spread fear far beyond New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania.”.

“Twenty-five years later, we know they failed. Our democracies resisted. Our societies have remained free. And the ideology of terror failed to impose its dominance on our world,” he stressed.

Von der Leyen also recalled that at the site where the Twin Towers were before, there are today “two columns of light projected over the sky of New York.”.

“ They challenge oblivion. They keep the memory of those we lost. And remind us that light triumphs even in the darkest days ", concluded.

The September 11 attacks caused 2,977 deaths, including nine Portuguese and Portuguese victims, and constituted the most deadly terrorist attack committed in North American territory.

The attacks were conducted by the terrorist group Al-Qaida.

Two hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City, causing the buildings to collapse two hours after impact, while a third device hit the Pentagon (D.O.D. Headquarters) outside Washington.

A fourth plane, believed to have targeted the Capitol (Congress Headquarters) or the White House (United States Presidency), crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members tried to regain control of the aircraft.

The attacks triggered profound changes in the United States' foreign and security policy, but also worldwide, including the launch of the so-called ‘war on terrorism’ and military intervention in Afghanistan.