Message of condolences from President Barroso on passing of Wilfried Martens

"It is with great sadness that I learned this morning of the passing away of Wilfried Martens, a great Belgian and European statesman over many decades. Europe has lost a man of conviction and strong values who will be remembered for bringing people together to forge consensus at home and in Europe. He always remained true to his commitment to a stronger and deeper European Union and it was a great privilege to work closely over many years with a man with whom I shared those values, convictions and an ambition for Europe.

"A true social Christian, Wilfried Martens played a decisive role in the European People's Party, one of the greatest European political parties. His personal work to integrate parties from the new democracies in Central and Eastern Europe was of paramount importance. His action followed the path of the founding fathers of the European Union, like Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer and Alcide De Gasperi.

"On behalf of the European Commission, I would like to express my condolences to his family at this difficult time."

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