EU leaders paid tribute to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was attending her 107th and likely her last European Council meeting on Friday 22 October in Brussels.
“A European Council without Angela is like Rome without the Vatican or Paris without the Eiffel Tower”, said European Council President Charles Michel. He said that the German Christian Democrat’s “wisdom”, “scientific, intellectual curiosity and simplicity” would be missed, especially at complex times ahead for the European Union.
He also said: “You are a compass and a shining light of our European project!”
The summit was also the last one for Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. Mr Michel praised him as a man of “convictions”, who was “always respectful”, and tirelessly committed to “social progress” in light of the 2017 Gothenburg social summit (see EUROPE 11906/2).
This was followed by a standing ovation given by the leaders in honour of their departing counterparts. The two have been the subject of dedicated EU Council videos that have chronicled their political footprint in Europe. As a gift, they received a personalised miniature of the Europa building where the summits take place, which was created by the Franco-Dutch artist Maxime Duterre. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)