Former German chancellor and Honorary Citizen of EuropeHelmut Kohl, who passed away on 16 June, was honoured for his contribution to Europe with a ceremony hosted by Parliament in Strasbourg on 1 July 2017.

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The ceremony was be attended by the presidents of EU institutions, former and current heads of state and government and other dignitaries.

Helmut Kohl, born in 1930, served as German chancellor from 1982 to 1998 and led the country through its reunification in 1990 following the collapse of the Soviet bloc. Together with then French president François Mitterrand, Kohl played an instrumental role in the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which created the euro and transformed the existing European communities into the European Union. EU heads of state and government proclaimed Helmut Kohl as “Honorary citizen of Europe” in December 1998. “The creation of German unity and the consolidation of European unification, culminating in Economic and Monetary Union, are Dr Helmut Kohl's life's work. For that life's work, we offer him our sincere gratitude and our heartfelt appreciation,” said the conclusions of the European Council in Vienna. Only Jean Monnet (in 1976) and Jacques Delors (in 2015) have been awarded the same title.

“Helmut Kohl was a visionary and a statesman who championed reconciliation and unity among the peoples of Europe. He will be missed,” said Parliament President Antonio Tajani on the news of his death.

European ceremony of honour for Helmut KOHL

European Ceremony of Honour for Helmut Kohl

European ceremony of honour for former Chancellor and Honorary Citizen of Europe Helmut KOHL: extracts from the speech by Dmitry MEDVEDEV, Russian Prime Minister

European ceremony of honour for former Chancellor and Honorary Citizen of Europe Helmut KOHL: extracts from the speech by Felipe GONZÁLEZ, former Spanish Prime Minister

European ceremony of honour for former Chancellor and Honorary Citizen of Europe Helmut KOHL: extracts from the speech by Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor

Tribute to Helmut KOHL - Photos collection

European ceremony of honour for former Chancellor and Honorary Citizen of Europe Helmut KOHL: extracts from the official arrivals

European ceremony of honour for former Chancellor and Honorary Citizen of Europe Helmut KOHL: extracts from the arrivals in the Hemicycle

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL, Former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and Honorary Citizen of Europe (1930 - 2017) at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL - Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL - Bill CLINTON, former President of the United States, saluting Helmut KOHL

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL, Former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and Honorary Citizen of Europe (1930 - 2017) at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.Behind the scene

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL - Speech by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President the EC

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL, Former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and Honorary Citizen of Europe (1930 - 2017) at the European Parliament in Strasbourg- Ceremony

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL -  Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic, Nadine MORANO, (EPP, FR), and Mairead MCGUINNESS (EPP, IE) (from left to right)

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL -  Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT,  (EPP, SE), on the left, and Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic, in the centre

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL - Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor

European Ceremony of Honour for Dr. Helmut KOHL - Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Carmen CASTILLO DEL CARPIO, Head of the Protocol at the EP, Maike KOHL-RICHTER, widow of Helmut Kohl, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and Donald	TUSK, President of the European Council (in the 1st row, from left to right)

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