Flags across Europe will be lowered to half-staff, stock exchanges will stop trading, and workers, shoppers and businesses across the continent will join a silent tribute tomorrow for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
The European Union appealed for its 450 million citizens to observe the call for three minutes' silence at noon. Flags around the 25-nation bloc will be lowered as a sign of respect for the victims.
Royal households in Britain, Luxembourg and other European monarchies said they would join the silent tribute. Special prayers will be said on either side of the silence in Canterbury Cathedral and other churches across the continent.
Public transport was set to come to a temporarily standstill in Berlin, Amsterdam and Rome. Italy's civil aviation authority said airports will also observe the silence.
Firms were expected to stop trading at European stock exchanges and stores in the midst of January sales were to ask clients to take a pause from their shopping.
Europeans have already given a powerful response to the tragedy by raising tens of millions of pounds to break aid appeal records. Politicians said tomorrow's events would be a further sign of solidarity with the stricken nations and the thousands of European citizens killed or missing in the disaster.
"Sweden will stop for a moment," said Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson, whose country looks set to be the hardest-hit western country with 52 confirmed killed and 1,903 missing.
Finnish companies agreed with unions to allow employees to stop work during the three minutes. British firms were urged to do likewise.
"The government hopes that employers will do all they can to ensure that employees are able to observe the silence and pay their respects at that time," said Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.
TV and radio networks in Britain, Italy and the Netherlands said they would interrupt programme schedules to include the three-minute tribute. Swiss public television planned a special telethon to raise more aid.
Members of the European Parliament and officials working at the EU's Brussels headquarters planned to gather in a nearby plaza to mark the silence. The Dutch government will gather with MPs and foreign diplomats for a silent tribute in The Hague.
Non-EU members Switzerland and Norway said they would also observe the silence. In Switzerland President Samuel Schmid and government colleagues will attend a memorial service in the capital, Bern, along with tsunami survivors and victims' relatives.
PA