The countries of the European Union (EU) are ready to provide assistance to Turkey and Syria after the earthquake, as a result of which hundreds of people died and were injured in those countries, stated Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billstrom.

"I deeply regret the terrible consequences of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria with a high loss of lives. As Sweden holds the holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, we are going to reach out to [Turkish FM] Mevlut Cavusoglu and to Syria for the coordination of EU-efforts to aid these countries in this disaster," Billstrom wrote on Twitter.