The House of Representatives this evening expressed its sorrow over last week's terrorism in Paris.

Louis Grech, minister for European Affairs, said the victims of last week's violence had paid the highest price. 

But the common people in their march in Paris yesterday had shown they would not be intimidated. They had given a strong reaction to those who thought that they could force a change to their way of life. The people would not give up their freedom and values.

However the people rightly expected their leaders to reciprocate their defiance and to provide protection and security, as far as possible. An EU home affairs ministers' meeting yesterday had placed this issue at the top of the agenda.

The politicians also had to would fight prejudice, xenophobia, islamophobia and a clash of civilisations. It would be a mistake for anyone to think that what had taken place was spurred by religion. Religion was only used as a screen by some people to further their own agenda.

France and Europe could translate this moment into a moment where the free people showed their strength and the strength of their values.

Mr Grech expressed sorrow for those who had lost their loved ones.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil proposed a minute's silence for the victims. He associated himself with Mr Grech's statement and reiterated the commitment towards freedom of expression, which was today a universal value.

He said freedom of expression needed to be defended every day, not just when it was easy, but when people were themselves being attacked.

It also needed to be ensued that religion was not used to attack such freedoms. The people who carried out last week's attacks could not be described in any way other than fanatics and terrorists. Their attacks did not  stem from religion and was not a product of religion.

Thought was always free, but freedom of expression was something one had to gain. 

Attacks on freedom of expression were sometimes subtle, such as when the messenger was attacked instead of the message. 

All politicians needed to renew their commitment to defend freedom of expression. As Voltaire said, "I do not agreed with what you have to say but I defend to the death your right to say it."