European activities Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

valéry giscard d estaing @ helmut schmidt s funeral, 23 november 2015

giscard has, throughout political career, been proponent of greater european union. in 1978, reason obvious target of jacques chirac s call of cochin, denouncing party of foreigners .

from 1989 1993, giscard served member of european parliament. 1989 1991, chairman of liberal , democratic reformist group.

from 2001 2004 served president of convention on future of europe. on 29 october 2004, european heads of state, gathered in rome, approved , signed european constitution based on draft influenced giscard s work @ convention.

although constitution rejected french voters in may 2005, giscard continued actively lobby passage in other european union states. giscard d estaing attracted international attention @ time of june 2008 irish vote on lisbon treaty. in article le monde in june 2007, said public opinion led adopt, without knowing it, proposals dare not present them directly . although quote accurate, part of critique, taken out of context, of suggestion made unnamed persons. in next paragraph giscard goes on reject idea of course of action saying, approach of divide , ratify unacceptable. perhaps exercise in presentation. confirm european citizens notion european construction procedure organised behind backs lawyers , diplomats. in following paragraphs goes on appeal honest treaty , total transparency allow citizens hear debate themselves.

since 2008 has been honorary president of permanent platform of atomium culture, innovative structure composed of of authoritative universities, newspapers , businesses in europe selection, exchange , dissemination of innovative european research, increase movement of knowledge across borders, across sectors , public @ large.

on 27 november 2009, giscard publicly launched permanent platform of atomium culture during first conference, held

at european parliament, declaring: european intelligence @ root of identity of european people. few days before had signed, president of atomium culture michelangelo baracchi bonvicini, european manifesto of atomium culture.