04/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - Otto de Habsbourg. EU leaders have paid their respects to Otto von Habsburg, who died aged 98 on Monday 4 July, remembering him as a great European and a champion of integration. “This morning, a European giant passed away. I mourn the death of Otto von Habsburg: the death of a friend, the death of a former member of the European Parliament and the death of a champion of European integration”, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he would remember von Habsburg”s “strong stance against all forms of totalitarianism and on Europe's fundamental values. Otto von Habsburg's commitment to Europe should set a political example for all of us, especially in difficult times”. (LoC)