(BRUSSELS) - The European Union condemned Wednesday a shooting attack outside the US embassy in Istanbul and pledged solidarity with Turkey and the United States.

The EU's French presidency "condemns in the strongest possible terms this morning's attack against the US Consulate General in Istanbul, which killed three Turkish police officers in charge of the building's security."

"It expresses its full solidarity with the Turkish and US governments," a statement said, underlining that the EU "is actively engaged, and stands together with Turkey and the United States, in the fight against terrorism."

Three gunmen were also killed when police returned fire after the assailants, armed with guns and rifles, targetted a police guardpost next to the mission in the upscale district of Istinye.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.