Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès laid flowers on Monday morning in New York in tribute to Ann-Laure Decadt, a Belgian who died four years ago in a terrorist attack. On October 31, 2017, she was struck by the vehicle of a man who had deliberately headed towards cyclists and pedestrians circulating in Manhattan on a cycle path, near Pier 40. Two other Belgians were seriously injured in this event .
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Earlier today, Sophie Wilmès participated in a commemoration of the September 11 attacks, which shook the United States and the world 20 years ago.
The 2017 attack is commemorated annually on October 31. Belgian Foreign Affairs is in contact with the management of the Hudson River Park as well as the services of the mayor so that a commemorative plaque dedicated to the Belgian victims is unveiled at this year’s ceremony. The text to be included has been discussed with the families.
The attack killed 8 people, including Ann-Laure Decadt, who was on vacation with her sisters and mother. Marion Van Reeth, another Belgian, lost both of her legs as a result of the attack, and her companion Aristide Melissas was also seriously injured.
Before laying flowers in memory of the victims of this attack, Sophie Wilmès had participated in a collective tribute to the victims of those of September 11, 2001, on a different scale, where a Belgian had also lost her life.
Belgium is part of the “Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism”, on whose behalf the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares spoke briefly.
Sophie Wilmès has been in New York since Sunday for the UN General Assembly. Ministerial week started on Monday. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo will also visit New York later in the week.
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