Statesman #JacquesChirac dies at 86

Following the death of Jacques Chirac on 26 September aged 86, European People's Party President Joseph Daul declared: "It is with great sadness that I I have learned of the death of the former president of the French Republic Jacques Chirac My thoughts go first to his wife and his family to whom I extend my most sincere condolences in these painful moments."

"A great statesman and for the French right a tutelary figure; at the head of France for 12 years, Jacques Chirac implemented important reforms such as the suspension of compulsory military service, the adoption of the five-year Presidential mandate and pension reform.

"He marked his presidency with strong moments, as was the case during his opposition to the intervention in Iraq in 2003 and the recognition of the responsibility of the French state in the deportation of Jews. Chirac was also a convinced European defending the vision of a proud Europe. He has always worked for the durability of the European project and the dynamism of the Franco-German engine.

"On a more personal note, I would like to recall his closeness to the French and more particularly to farmers and the rural world. This attention to the workers of the land was due to the fact that he was at the beginning of his political career the minister of agriculture.

"He was also a strong supporter of the Common Agricultural Policy. Today, I want to commemorate the man with whom I took my first steps in politics and who gave me his confidence by allowing me to run for the European elections. Today I lost a mentor and a friend. I will always carry the memories of our friendship and will continue to be guided by his advice."

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