EU condemns 'cowardice' of Oslo bomb blast

"I am deeply shocked by the bomb blasts this afternoon in Oslo which have killed a number of innocent people and left many others injured," Van Rompuy said in a statement.

"I condemn in the strongest terms these acts of cowardice for which there is no justification."

Van Rompuy said he sent a message of "condolences and solidarity" from the 27-nation EU to Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso voiced shock at the "abhorrent images" of the bomb blast in Oslo's government quarter.

"An attack of this magnitude is not something one would expect in Norway, famously associated with peace at home and peace-making abroad," Barroso said.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Norway had been one of the bloc's closest partners.

"Norway has demonstrated its staunch support of the EU in many contexts and the European Union is ready to support Norway in these difficult circumstances.

The European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation," she said.

Militants staged twin bomb and shooting attacks against Norway's government and ruling party Friday, as a deadly explosion ripped through ministry buildings and a gunman opened fire at a meeting of the ruling party.

European parliament Jerzy Buzek expressed his solidarity with the Norwegian people over the "regrettable and despicable act".

"Norway has been providing good services for peace in the most volatile spots areas around the globe," he said.

"The last thing Norway deserves is a terrorist attack on its soil. Terrorist attacks are never justified anywhere."

Norway has acted as peace mediator in efforts to resolve conflicts worldwide, including Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011