July 7 2006 marks the first anniversary of terrorist bomb attacks in London which killed 52 people.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso marked the anniversary by observing, with officials in Brussels, a two minute silence held across the United Kingdom.

"A terrorist attack on any part of the EU affects the EU in its entirety; as was shown by the united condemnation and response of the whole European Union," he said in a statement.

"Preventing and combating terrorism has become one of the EU's greatest challenges. The commission will continue to bring forward a package of initiatives to assist in the fight against terrorism. "

The European Union (EU) head office has launched a 2 million- euro (about 2.56 million U.S. dollars) fund for projects "in favor of victims of terrorist acts".

EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini renewed his calls for a charter to set rights and to give terror victims a voice.

In this sad anniversary of London tragedy, the fate of victims shall more than ever withhold EU attention and aid for the victims is a crucial stake of the EU's counter-terrorism strategy, he said.

"I have backed the idea of a European charter recognizing the condition of victims of terrorism. This action might support such a project."

In a statement, European parliament president Josep Borrell urged greater unity to fight terror.

"We must fight terrorism alongside our neighbors and partners. This struggle against international terrorism can only be won if Europe's democracies unite in common action to defeat the threat facing us," he said.

Source: Xinhua