Statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on the passing away of former German Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker
The news of the passing of the former Federal President of Germany Richard von Weizsäcker, a friend, has saddened me deeply. Von Weizsäcker's work has made an important contribution to both German and European history. His memorable speech of 8 Mai 1985 on the occasion of the 40thcommemoration of the end of the Second World War - a day he rightly called the “day of liberation” - has had an impact on an entire generation and has shaped Germany's image as an integrating force in the middle of our continent. This speech has given him political authority far beyond Germany's borders. And it has deeply touched me personally.
After the reunification of Germany von Weizsäcker continued his integrationist work and was also a strong advocate of European integration. Until the end he stressed the importance of a common foreign and security policy and called for the strengthening of European institutions in order to solve common problems. “We must shape these institutions in a way that we are not even tempted to think about national solutions”, he said in an interview in 2013.
Richard von Weizsäcker was a great statesman, who offers inspiration and orientation to everyone bearing political responsibility in Europe today - well beyond his death. His words and his personality will be remembered.
STATEMENT/15/4001
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