FORMER European Commission president Jacques Delors, who played a key role in the design of the euro and creation of the single market, has died aged 98.
Delors was hailed as a “statesman of French destiny” by French president Emmanuel Macron after news of his death was confirmed.
Delors' daughter Martine Aubry said he had died in his sleep on Wednesday morning in his Paris home.
He served as European Commission president from 1985 to 1995, a period longer than anyone else.
The current President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola paid tribute in a post, writing: "With the death of Jacques Delors, the EU loses a giant. The last honorary citizen of Europe, he worked tirelessly, as President of EU Commission and a member of the European Parliament France, for a united Europe.
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"Generations of Europeans will continue to benefit from his legacy."
Current President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote: "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."
A headline by British tabloid The Sun once famously shouted: "Up Yours, Delors."
A French Socialist, he was a firm believer in post-war integration and warned of the dangers of populism in Europe.
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