Statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on the passing of former European Commissioner Karl-Heinz Narjes

"It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing away of Karl-Heinz Narjes. We lose a European of the first hour who worked for a united Europe and the European Single Market with dedication, determination and optimism. As Head of Cabinet for the first Commission President, Walter Hallstein, and Director-General for Press and Information he shaped the Commission's work in its early years. Later, he became Commissioner for the Internal Market, Customs Union, Industrial Innovation, Environment and Consumers and Vice-President for Industrial Policy, Research and Innovation. His expertise, conviction and broad vision are unforgotten.

Karl-Heinz Narjes helped shape Europe's integration and continued to observe it closely even after his active political life came to an end. I personally met and worked with him when he was Minister for Economic Affairs in Schleswig-Holstein. The entire European Commission owes him deep gratitude. He will be missed."

STATEMENT/15/3721

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