State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MFEA SR) Martin Klus has paid tribute to the late President of the European Parliament,[...]

"Even in the difficult times that Europe has been going through in recent years, David Sassoli has not relented in defending the democratic values ​​on which our European community stands. He was not only a proud Italian, but also a great European. He has always advocated belonging, tolerance and the protection of the rights and freedoms of all citizens, whether as a courageous journalist or a long-standing politician and a Member of the European Parliament."

This was announced by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MFEA SR) Martin Klus on Monday, 17 January 2022 in Strasbourg, where he attended a memorial service dedicated to the late President of the European Parliament David Sassoli on behalf of the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic.

In addition to the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the immediate family of the late David Sassoli, several former and current European leaders, speakers of national parliaments, prime ministers, as well as other politicians and diplomats from the Member States of the European Union also attended the commemoration, which took place at the opening of the plenary session.

"I respected David Sassoli. He headed the European Parliament during an extremely difficult period. In this position, however, he clearly demonstrated his abilities as an experienced politician, a diplomat, but especially a man fully committed to the idea of ​​European integration. He tried tirelessly to move forward the European project: 'A Europe that innovates. A Europe that protects. A Europe that illuminates through its democratic model.' These were his words, which I believe we will never forget," said Martin Klus after the commemoration ceremony.

According to the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MFEA SR), Slovakia will also remember David Sassoli, a native of Florence, as a person who believed in the European Union, in its values ​​and made all efforts to ensure that the European Union better serves the needs of its citizens.

David Sassoli died on Tuesday, 11 January 2022 at the age of 65. He has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2009 and was elected President in July 2019.