The Council of Europe’s response to the terrorist attacks of unprecedented violence committed in the United States of America on 11 September 2001 was both firm and immediate. In its declaration of 12 September 2001, the Committee of Ministers immediately condemned "with the utmost force the terrorist attacks" committed against the American people and expressed its "sympathy and solidarity" with them. At the same time, the Committee of Ministers commenced consideration of specific action which could be taken by the Council of Europe within its field of expertise to counter "such monstrous acts".