PARIS
French President Francois Hollande said that the two attacks in Copenhagen target the values of freedom and law and order, and are the same as those attacks France suffered in January.
Hollande said on Sunday after a visit to the Danish Embassy in Paris that the attacks were similar, in terms of their targets, to the attacks that targeted the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and the kosher supermarket in Paris early in January, killing 17 people.
"What happened yesterday (in Copenhagen) was the same that already took place in Paris more than a month ago. It is the same targets that were chosen by the terrorists," Hollande told reporters.
"In Denmark or France ... terrorists have a common determination to strike who we are, what we stand for, our values, the values of freedom, the values of law, the values of the protection that every citizen, regardless of his religion, should be able to find," Hollande added.
Earlier on Saturday, Hollande condemned the Copenhagen attacks saying he stands in solidarity with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
He added that French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve would visit Copenhagen as soon as possible.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also said that he "strongly condemns the terrorist attack."
"France stands alongside the Danish authorities and Danish people in the fight against terrorism," he added.
Danish police on Sunday said they killed the suspect behind the attacks that left two people dead and five others injured.
The first attack happened on Saturday during a meeting attended by controversial Swedish artist Lars Vilks, known for his derogatory depictions of Prophet Muhammad. One civilian was killed and three police officers were wounded in the attack.
Francois Zimeray, France’s ambassador to Denmark, was attending the meeting, but he was not hurt. Vilks was also unhurt and the meeting was held under tight security.
The second attack took place early on Sunday at a synagogue in Copenhagen and the attacker fled on foot after firing at police. One civilian was killed and two policemen were wounded, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
