1st Eurofora's EU Parliament President Egon Klepsch dies: EU values/identity/future his last words

The 1st EU Parliament's President who initially welcomed "EuroFora"'s co-founder, in the potentially most Democratic EU Institution, so early as since 1992 - 1994, when we started working in EU/CoE's Press area, the Historic, and one among the most experienced, kind and active, 21 years-long MEP, from 1973 up to 1994, and twice Chairman of the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Group, (from 1977-19B2, and 1984-1992), Egon Klepsch, (the 1st German to assume such responsibilities), after surviving for 80 years, suddenly died, in nearby Koeln, by a coincidence at the eve of next week's EU Parliament's session in Strasbourg.

- He  was "one of our Finest", and "we will always commemorate" him as such, reportedly declared new EU Parliament's President, Polish MEP Jerzy Buzek, about the Kind, Father-like figure of Egon Klepsch's, wide front, white hair, and intelligent, smiling eyes behind large glasses, reminding, among other important issues, also that "he contributed ..to transform the European Parliament from a mere Consultative assembly into the Powerful .. Parliament that it is today", and "worked restlessly to re-unite our continent".

- " A fervent European, Egon Klepsch helped build a free and democratic Europe based on his Christian-democratic beliefs", and "gave all his political energy to the European project,...working unceasingly to transform the European Parliament into today's democratic representation of the People of Europe", where "he embodied a Europe of Values, working tirelessly to overcome the Divisions of our continent", so that "Europe has lost one of its Spiritual Leaders who never lost his commitment ...and his enthusiasm for ...securing a common Future for all Europeans", becoming an "Inspiration" for those "who are Proud to have served under his chairmanship, and who will continue to carry forward his Political Aims", ardently stressed his new successor at the Head of the largest Group, ChristianDemocrats, Joseph Daul.

- "Klepsch was instrumental in the transformation of the European Parliament into a truly Democratic institution of the EU. His deep Commitment to the European project will be truly missed", added EPP Party's long-time, experienced Chairman, Wilfried Martens.

"EuroFora" recently had the honour to meet at least twice anew a kindly smiling Egon Klempsh, who apparerently rememberd us, when he returned to EU Parliament, particularly together with other former Presidents, invited by his successors.
Once Klepsh was standing and walked, slowly but decisively ahead, while the last time he was in a wheeling chair, but always smiling and wiling to make some profound, interesting remarks at "EuroFora's co-founder.

His most important last words, at our Memory, was Egon Klempsch' main reply to an "Eurofora's question about the Historic Paradox of EU Citizens' massive and active participation since the first, 1979, EU Parliament's Elections, and their sudden, unprecedented Majority Abstention, since the 1999 and 2004 EU Elections, (i.e. since Turkey's controversial EU bid), which has just decelerated a while only on 2009, but  not yet completely reversed, despite the fact that MEP's powers have considerably augmented meanwhile.

This was also linked, somehow, with recent debates on EU Values, Identity and Future, etc. , where the experienced long-time EU Parliament's leader, replied with a simple but Deep, interesting remark, going straight on to the main core issues, that we are currently trying to find an Audio and/or handwritten Note, draft NewsReport, etc, as well as a relevant, original Photograph of Egon Klepsch's recent, short but topical meetings, and we should come back asap..