Top European officials have expressed outrage at the NSA targeting the embassies of a number of US allies including France, Italy, Greece, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, India and Turkey for bugging.

"I am shocked in case that it is true, I feel treated as a European and a representative of a European institution like the representative of the enemy. Is this the basis for a constructive relationship on the basis of mutual trust? I think no. Therefore my first request to the Embassy of the United States here in Brussels is 'Is it true?' and in case it is true 'Why?' They should justify. On the other hand, I think we should, before we discuss about consequences, first of all check if it is true and secondly we should wait for a justification," said European Parliament President, Martin Schulz.

"We are just starting negotiations of a free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. This is not the basis to build mutual trust, this is a contribution to build mutual mistrust and therefore I understand all those in Europe who think that we should first of all ask the Americans, secondly look to or listen to the justification and then take the necessary consequences. On the other hand, with this affair or not, the United States of America and Europeans remains to be strategic allies. Therefore it is shocking that the United States take measures against their most important and nearest allies, comparable to measures taken in the past by the KGB, by the secret service of the Soviet Union," he said.

Read more: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/nsa-spying-leaks-snowden-europe-embassy-bugging-484998