Jacques delors, former European Commission Chief and the founding father of the Euro, died in his sleep at his paris home on Wednesday. He was 98. Delors served as president of the european commission from January 1985 to december 1994.

Jacques delors, 98, dies in his sleep at his Paris home

Jacques Delors, a former head of the EU Commission and key figure in the creation of the euro currency, has died, his daughter Martine Aubry told AFP on Wednesday.

Delors, who was 98, died in his sleep in his Paris home on Wednesday, she said.

Delors, a Socialist, had a high-profile political career in France, where he served as finance minister under president Francois Mitterrand from 1981 to 1984.

But he declined to run for president in 1995 despite being overwhelmingly ahead in the polls, a decision he put down to "a desire for independence that was too great".&nbsp;

"I have no regrets," he said about that decision later. "But I'm not saying I was right."

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He headed up the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, a decade that saw major steps in the bloc's integration.

These included the completion of the common market, the Schengen accords for travel, the Erasmus programme for student exchanges and the creation of the bloc's single currency, the euro.

<h2>- 'Quite a life' -</h2>

His drive for increased integration met with resistance in some member countries, especially Britain under prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

"Up Yours Delors" read a famous 1990 front-page headline in The Sun newspaper which voiced its concerns about a single currency and increased powers for the European Parliament.&nbsp;

Alastair Campbell, a former campaign director for ex-British prime minister Tony Blair, said on X, formerly Twitter, that his "favourite Delors-ism" had been: "Don't be a pessimist. Or an optimist. Be an activist."&nbsp;

"RIP Jacques Delors. Quite a life," Campbell said.&nbsp;

Delors founded think tanks with the aim of furthering European federalism even after he left office, and in recent years warned of the dangers of populism in Europe, also calling for "audacity" in dealing with the Brexit fallout.

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He also urged more solidarity among EU members during the coronavirus pandemic.

<h2>- 'Statesman with French destiny' -</h2>

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called Delors "a tireless creator of our Europe".

Posting on X, Macron said that "his commitment, his ideal and his rectitude will always inspire us".

Delors was "a statesman with a French destiny", Macron said.

French Socialist party chief Olivier Faure said that "a giant has left us".

Calling Delors "a child of the century" who had "experienced the worst", Faure said he had sought to "overcome tragedy by building a durable peace".

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard-left France Unbowed party, said Delors was "a Socialist of a generation that had an ideal".

On X, Melenchon called Delors "a man of action who always thought of the common good".&nbsp;

Centrist Francois Bayrou said that for him "and for an entire generation of my political family and thought, he was a reference like no other".

Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said Delors was a "great Frenchman and a great European" who had "entered history as one of the builders of our Europe".

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European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde highlighted Delors's role for the single European market and "the path he laid out towards our single currency, the euro".

Europe, she said, "has lost a true statesman".

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said Delors had fought for European unity "like few others".

Calling Delors a visionary, Scholz said "it is our responsibility to continue his work for the benefit of Europe".

Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission president, said Delors had "shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine".

Jacques Delors, a former head of the EU Commission and key figure in the creation of the euro currency, has died, his daughter Martine Aubry told AFP on Wednesday.

Jacques Delors, a former head of the EU Commission and key figure in the creation of the euro currency, has died, his daughter Martine Aubry told AFP on Wednesday. Delors, who was 98, died in his sleep in his Paris home on Wednesday, she said. Delors, a Socialist, had a high-profile political career in France, where he served as finance minister under president Francois Mitterrand from 1981 to 1984. But he declined to run for president in 1995 despite being overwhelmingly ahead in the polls, a decision he put down to "a desire for independence that was too great". "I have no regrets," he said about that decision later. "But I'm not saying I was right." ALSO READ | Poland liquidates all public media ahead of restructuring He headed up the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, a decade that saw major steps in the bloc's integration. These included the completion of the common market, the Schengen accords for travel, the Erasmus programme for student exchanges and the creation of the bloc's single currency, the euro. - 'Quite a life' - His drive for increased integration met with resistance in some member countries, especially Britain under prime minister Margaret Thatcher. "Up Yours Delors" read a famous 1990 front-page headline in The Sun newspaper which voiced its concerns about a single currency and increased powers for the European Parliament. Alastair Campbell, a former campaign director for ex-British prime minister Tony Blair, said on X, formerly Twitter, that his "favourite Delors-ism" had been: "Don't be a pessimist. Or an optimist. Be an activist." "RIP Jacques Delors. Quite a life," Campbell said. Delors founded think tanks with the aim of furthering European federalism even after he left office, and in recent years warned of the dangers of populism in Europe, also calling for "audacity" in dealing with the Brexit fallout. ALSO READ | New Delhi reports first case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, minister says ‘no need to panic’ He also urged more solidarity among EU members during the coronavirus pandemic. - 'Statesman with French destiny' - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called Delors "a tireless creator of our Europe". Posting on X, Macron said that "his commitment, his ideal and his rectitude will always inspire us". Delors was "a statesman with a French destiny", Macron said. French Socialist party chief Olivier Faure said that "a giant has left us". Calling Delors "a child of the century" who had "experienced the worst", Faure said he had sought to "overcome tragedy by building a durable peace". Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard-left France Unbowed party, said Delors was "a Socialist of a generation that had an ideal". On X, Melenchon called Delors "a man of action who always thought of the common good". Centrist Francois Bayrou said that for him "and for an entire generation of my political family and thought, he was a reference like no other". Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said Delors was a "great Frenchman and a great European" who had "entered history as one of the builders of our Europe". ALSO READ | Putin discusses trade, Ukraine war with Jaishankar, invites 'friend' PM Modi to Russia European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde highlighted Delors's role for the single European market and "the path he laid out towards our single currency, the euro". Europe, she said, "has lost a true statesman". German chancellor Olaf Scholz said Delors had fought for European unity "like few others". Calling Delors a visionary, Scholz said "it is our responsibility to continue his work for the benefit of Europe". Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission president, said Delors had "shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine".

Former EU Commission president Jacques Delors dies at 98

Jacques Delors, a key architect of the European Union's historic single currency project, died at 98 on Wednesday. &nbsp;

Martine Aubry, his daughter,&nbsp;confirmed that Delors died in his sleep at his home in Paris.&nbsp;

Delors, known for his unwavering support for European integration, served as the President of the European Commission for three terms, from January 1985 to the end of 1994.&nbsp;

His dynamic leadership during this decade saw the completion of the integrated single market, the agreement to introduce the euro, and the establishment of a common foreign and security policy. &nbsp;

During Delors's influential term leading the EU executive, the union grew and the groundwork was laid for the eventual admittance of the former communist republics of central and eastern Europe following the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. &nbsp;

A staunch federalist, Delors championed the concept of an "ever closer union", leading to occasional clashes with then-UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who vigorously resisted any transfer of power to Brussels. &nbsp;

Delors' vision for monetary union drew attention, with The Sun tabloid in Britain famously running a front-page headline in 1990 reading 'Up Yours Delors'.&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed him as the "inexhaustible architect of our Europe" and a champion for human justice.

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator during Brexit, described Delors as an inspiration and a symbol of a certain idea of politics, France, and Europe.&nbsp;

Delors' influence extended beyond national borders, shaping the trajectory of European politics and fostering collaboration among member states. &nbsp;

In an interview marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 2007, Delors expressed concerns about the EU unravelling unless institutional reforms were implemented. &nbsp;

Delors had foreseen the challenges facing the EU, warning of potential unravelling without reforms. Despite subsequent geopolitical shifts and the departure of member states, including Britain, Delors' legacy endures, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledging him as a 'visionary who made Europe stronger'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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Jacques Delors, a key architect of the European Union's historic single currency project, died at 98 on Wednesday. Martine Aubry, his daughter, confirmed that Delors died in his sleep at his home in Paris.

Jacques Delors, a key architect of the European Union's historic single currency project, died at 98 on Wednesday. Martine Aubry, his daughter, confirmed that Delors died in his sleep at his home in Paris. Delors, known for his unwavering support for European integration, served as the President of the European Commission for three terms, from January 1985 to the end of 1994. His dynamic leadership during this decade saw the completion of the integrated single market, the agreement to introduce the euro, and the establishment of a common foreign and security policy. During Delors's influential term leading the EU executive, the union grew and the groundwork was laid for the eventual admittance of the former communist republics of central and eastern Europe following the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. A staunch federalist, Delors championed the concept of an "ever closer union", leading to occasional clashes with then-UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who vigorously resisted any transfer of power to Brussels. Delors' vision for monetary union drew attention, with The Sun tabloid in Britain famously running a front-page headline in 1990 reading 'Up Yours Delors'. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed him as the "inexhaustible architect of our Europe" and a champion for human justice. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator during Brexit, described Delors as an inspiration and a symbol of a certain idea of politics, France, and Europe. Delors' influence extended beyond national borders, shaping the trajectory of European politics and fostering collaboration among member states. In an interview marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 2007, Delors expressed concerns about the EU unravelling unless institutional reforms were implemented. Delors had foreseen the challenges facing the EU, warning of potential unravelling without reforms. Despite subsequent geopolitical shifts and the departure of member states, including Britain, Delors' legacy endures, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledging him as a 'visionary who made Europe stronger'. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Former EU Commission President Jacques Delors, architect of euro project, dies at 98 

Former European Commission President Jacques Delors, the father of modern European integration, said in a statement on Thursday that British membership is positive both for the United Kingdom and for the European Union. 
 
Delors, 89, who clashed frequently with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during his decade at the head of the EU executive from 1985 to 1994, said he would respect the British voters&#39; decision in next week&#39;s referendum on whether to remain in the EU. 
 
&quot;I consider the UK&#39;s participation in the European Union to be a positive element both for the British and for the Union,&quot; Delors said. 
 
His statement was emailed to dispel what &nbsp;the Jacques&nbsp;Delors&nbsp;Institute&nbsp;called inaccurate rumours that he favoured a Brexit to enable the remaining EU members to move ahead with deeper integration. 
(Reuters)

The statement was issued to dispel rumours that he supported Brexit to allow other members to continue with better integration

Former European Commission President Jacques Delors, the father of modern European integration, said in a statement on Thursday that British membership is positive both for the United Kingdom and for the European Union. Delors, 89, who clashed frequently with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during his decade at the head of the EU executive from 1985 to 1994, said he would respect the British voters' decision in next week's referendum on whether to remain in the EU. "I consider the UK's participation in the European Union to be a positive element both for the British and for the Union," Delors said. His statement was emailed to dispel what the Jacques Delors Institute called inaccurate rumours that he favoured a Brexit to enable the remaining EU members to move ahead with deeper integration. (Reuters)

British membership positive for EU, says former chief Delors

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Jacques delors, 98, dies in his sleep at his Paris home

Former EU Commission president Jacques Delors dies at 98

Former EU Commission President Jacques Delors, architect of euro project, dies at 98

British membership positive for EU, says former chief Delors