Brussels, 27/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Upon the decease of Wangari Maathai of Kenya, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and environmentalist of international renown, the EU expresses its “sadness” at her passing away and its condolences to her family and friends. In a joint press release published on the evening of Monday 26 September, Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs, and Andris Piebalgs, European Development Commissioner, pay tribute to Wangari Maathai saying: “Professor Maathai's death is a great loss to the environmentalist movement but also to pro-democracy and women's rights movements across Africa and beyond. As the first African woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, she will be remembered for her bold action on environmental sustainability, women's empowerment and democratic rights”. (AN/transl.jl)