The EU mourns Mandela: “A symbol of justice, liberty and respect for human rights”

President of the Parliament Schulz: “The world needs more leaders like this”

Barroso and Van Rompuy:  “One of the greatest political figures of our time”

In front of the headquarters of the European institutions today the flags are flying at half-mast. Brussels mourns Nelson Mandela too, not just a father of South Africa, but a symbol for the entire international community.  European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy write in a joint message: “We mourn the death of one of the greatest political figures of our time.” “Nelson Mandela – they continue – was not just the key to the transformation of South Africa into the democratic country it is today. He represents the battle against racism, political violence and intolerance. He represents justice, freedom and respect for human rights.” To honor his memory, the two leaders wrote, “There is no better way than to reaffirm our collective commitment to uphold the values of true and deep-seated democracy for which Nelson Mandela fought so tirelessly.”

The President of the European Parliament also had a message of condolences: “South Africa has lost its father today; the world lost a hero,” writes Martin Schulz, calling Mandela “one of the greatest human beings of our time. Schulz recalled that in June 1990, a few months after being released from prison, Nelson Mandela visited the European Parliament to receive the Sakharov Prize earned in 1988. Like so many other award winners, he had been unable to attend the award ceremony in 1988 because he was a prisoner of the apartheid regime. “I hope – concludes Schulz – the world will have more leaders like him. Good-bye Mandiba, your struggle lives on in the hearts of millions!”