Jacques Delors (1925-2023) R.I.P.

Glowing tributes have been paid to Jacques Delors after it was announced he had died at the age of 98 at his Paris home.

The Frenchman was seen by most as a key architect of the modern EU. He served as president of the European commission and also served as an MEP in the European parliament between 1979 and 1981 and as a finance minister in François Mitterrand’s government from 1981 to 1984.

On Thursday, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: “Jacques Delors was a visionary who made our Europe stronger.

“His life’s work is a united, dynamic and prosperous European Union. It has shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine. Let us honor his legacy by constantly renewing our Europe.”

Her comments were broadly echoed by president of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde.

In a statement she said: “With the passing of Jacques Delors, Europe has lost a true statesman.

“His achievements were numerous, including leading the creation of Europe’s single market and the path he laid out towards our single currency, the euro. Rest in peace.”

Further tribute came from European Council president, Charles Michel.

The former Belgian PM described him as a “great Frenchman and a great European” who had “entered history as one of the builders of our Europe”.

Delors was president of the European Commission for three terms from 1985 to the end of 1994 – longer than any other holder of the office.

In 1998 he founded the Jacques Delors Institute.