The European Union stressed Monday that attacks on journalist are not only attacks on the victims, but also on freedoms of the expression and the media.

"While we mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (today), reporters in many countries across the world face an increasing level of intimidation and violence," said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in a Declaration on behalf of the 28-member bloc.

The EU, she noted, expects State authorities to fully abide by their international obligations to effectively, promptly and in an independent manner investigate such crimes and to ensure that both state and non-state perpetrators and instigators of such violence are brought to justice.

"Media are the mirror of our societies: if they are free and critical, we are free and safe," she added.