EU pays respects to Mitterrand, ‘a humanist dedicated to Europe’

Date: 11/01/1996

By Michael Mann

JACQUES Santer led this week's tributes to former French President François Mitterrand from leading political figures in the EU's institutions.

As the European Commission president prepared to fly to Paris today (11 January) to attend a mass for Mitterrand, he underlined the achievements of Mitterrand's two terms as president, describing him as “a very great European, a great humanist who dedicated a large part of his life to building Europe”.

Such achievements would not have been possible, said Santer, without “the determination and vision” displayed by Mitterrand.

Despite initial hesitations, Mitterrand was quick to embrace the idea of closer political and financial union in Europe.

His long period as French head of state allowed him the luxury of holding the presidency of the EU three times.

European Parliament President Klaus Hänsch said this week that summits hosted by Mitterrand were “synonymous with progress for Europe”.

At Fontainebleau in 1984, a deal was done to put an end to UK complaints over its budget contributions. In 1989, Strasbourg saw the adoption of the Social Charter and gave vital impetus to the process leading to the Maastricht Treaty, following the first steps taken at the previous year's Hanover summit.

Among several other crucial steps taken towards European integration during Mitterrand's time in office were the accession of the Iberian states, the signing of the Single European Act in 1986, the creation of the Franco-German brigade in October 1991, the narrow success of the referendum on Maastricht in September 1992 and the latest enlargement in 1995.

Pauline Green, leader of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, said Mitterrand's “firm view that nationalism equals war is one that we will never forget”.

Mitterrand's belief in the EU and reconciliation with Germany were the two policy goals he pursued most consistently during his presidency. While his reputation at home was dogged by controversy and his domestic policies were attacked as ambiguous, Mitterrand's status in European affairs was arguably surpassed only by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

Wilfried Martens, leader of the Parliament's European People's Party and former Belgian Prime Minister, paid tribute to both Mitterrand and Kohl, calling them “the motor of European integration”.

Saluting “a good friend”, Kohl urged a continuation of Mitterrand's work. “His political vision of a united Europe will be a legacy and stimulus for us in the future as well,” he said.