A DAY of mourning has been declared across Europe on Friday, EU foreign ministers agreed this afternoon.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw emerged from talks with his EU counterparts urging everyone in the 15 member states to abide by a three-minute silence from 11am UK time.

The decision came at a sombre meeting which expressed solidarity with America in the wake of the terrorist atrocities in New York and Washington and pledged full support in seeking out and punishing the perpetrators.

Asked if the EU would support any military response by the US authorities, Mr Straw insisted: "Issues of military action are matters for Nato, not for the European Union."

Earlier Nato Secretary-General Lord Robertson joined the foreign ministers to assess the implications of the terrorist attacks, and to ensure a strong, joint response from EU and Nato headquarters this afternoon.

This afternoon's statement voiced sympathy for the American people and vowed to strengthen the EU's foreign and security policy and step up counter-terrorism strategies.

Asked what specific action the EU was considering Mr Straw replied: "There are discussions taking place within a Nato context but not open to be discussed here."

Mr Straw said the EU was offering practical expertise to the Americans to help with the clear-up operations in the wake of the attacks.

"America is a country rich in human resources, but there may be some specialist areas in which we can help."

Chairman of the talks, Belgian foreign minister Louis Michel, said: "We are all victims of this unspeakable atrocity.

"We have made clear today that the links between all the countries of the EU and our American friends are very strong links which cannot be broken.

"What happened yesterday was not merely a problem for the USA, it was a problem for all those countries who share the same values at the US - democracy, liberty and justice."

The declaration from foreign ministers expressed "complete solidarity" with America and called on all Europeans to observe the three-minute silence on Friday, which is also officially declared a day of mourning.

The statement went on: "These horrendous acts are an attack not only on the United States but against humanity itself and the values and freedoms we all share. The life and work of our open and democratic societies will continue undeterred.

"The EU utterly condemns the perpetrators and sponsors of these acts of barbarism. The EU and its member states will spare no efforts to help identify, bring to justice and punish those responsible: there will be no safe haven for terrorists and their sponsors."