Tributes from across Europe poured in for Jacques Delors, the former European Commission president who played an instrumental role in European integration, following his death on Wednesday at 98.
A 'builder' of Europe
European Council President Charles Michel said Delors "led the transformation of the European Economic Community towards a true Union."
"A great Frenchman and a great European, he went down in history as one of the builders of our Europe," Michel posted on social media.
Current European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Delors had "shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine" and was "a visionary who made our Europe stronger."
European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde highlighted Delors's role for the single European market and "the path he laid out towards our single currency, the euro." Europe, she said, "has lost a true statesman."
'Statesman with a French destiny'
French President Emmanuel Macron called his fellow countryman a "tireless creator of our Europe." Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Macron said "his commitment, his ideals and his rectitude will always inspire us." Delors was "a statesman with a French destiny," Macron added.
Olivier Faure, head of the Parti Socialiste, of which Delors was a member, said, "A giant has left us." Delors, who served as finance minister under President François Mitterrand, a Socialist, sought to "overcome tragedy by building a durable peace" after World War II ravaged Europe, Faure added.
'Founding father'
"Modern Europe today loses its founding father," said Enrico Letta, a former Italian prime minister who currently heads the Jacques Delors Institute created by the ex-Commission chief.
Writing on X, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani praised "a personality who showed, on the basis of Christian values, the path of strengthening Europe."
'What many thought impossible'
Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also hailed the EU's "founding father", whose "project for a stronger and more secure union remains hugely relevant for the Europe of tomorrow."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Delors "always believed in a united, open and prosperous" Europe. "He worked to make what many thought impossible a reality," Sanchez wrote on X.
'Visionary'
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed Delors as a "visionary" and an "architect of the EU as we know it." Delors fought for European unity "like few others", Scholz added in a message posted on X, urging Europeans to continue his work for the continent's benefit.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Delors as a "visionary statesman." "Delors transformed Europe through tireless service to the idea of a Europe whole and free," Blinken wrote on X.