A tribute to Jacques Delors: bust unveiled at CoR and EESC

Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) gathered to celebrate the inauguration of a bust honouring Jacques Delors, a visionary leader of European integration and the architect of the European Union as we know today,  and the new communication space. This tribute recognises Delors' pivotal role in shaping modern Europe, fostering freedom, social justice and solidarity.

The event, held in the new communication space of the CoR, highlights Jacques Delors' legacy of dedication, foresight, and commitment to European integration. The bust, a symbol of his enduring impact, will serve as a lasting reminder of his contributions to the European project and will remain in the headquarters of the EESC and the CoR, which have borne his name since 2006.

In unveiling the bust, the President of the CoR, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, said: “The late President of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, dedicated his life to advance European integration. The single market, the euro, cohesion policy, a more social Europe and preparing for the enlargement are among his key achievements. One is very dear to our heart, which is the establishment of the European Committee of the Regions, as part of the Maastricht Treaty which laid the ground for the European Union as we know it. His vision is still relevant today. Trying to make Europe stronger, and fairer, with regions and cities at its heart. This is why we honour him today and this is what I thrived for during my mandate as President of the European Committee of the Regions.”

Oliver Röpke, president of the EESC, added: "Today, we not only honor the legacy of Jacques Delors but also celebrate the opening of a new space for dialogue and connection. This communication space represents the values of openness, engagement, and participation that are at the heart of European democracy. It is a place where voices can be heard, where ideas can be shared, and where we continue working towards a fairer and stronger Europe. My sincere thanks to all who made this possible."

The project was proposed by Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), municipal councillor of Coulaines and member of the CoR since 2005, who declared: “On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions, I proposed to create a bust in honour of Jacques Delors, founder of our institution and advocate for a territorial cohesion policy. The inauguration in Brussels in the presence of the artist, Grigor Nahabetian, stresses the integration journey of an artist who had already sculpted the bust of François Mitterrand with great talent for my city of Coulaines.” 

The sculptor of the bust, Grigor Nahabetian, a French artist renowned for monumental works that blend social and spiritual commitments. He is being supported by the Association Cultures du Coeur in his professional development and has been part of the Local Art Factory collective in La Chapelle-Saint-Aubin since 2018. 

Background: 

The inaugurations took place in the newly opened joint communication space of the CoR and the EESC, a dedicated area designed to foster dialogue and engagement. This space will serve as a platform for collaboration, ensuring that voices from civil society and local and regional authorities are heard in European decision-making. Its creation reflects the commitment of both institutions to strengthening democratic participation and bringing Europe closer to its citizens. 

Pictures of the ceremony.