A diplomat, ideological rivals, the President of the European Parliament, unions, and others were among many who issued condolence statements regarding the death of President Emeritus Guido de Marco yesterday.

Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, said Prof. de Marco had led Malta into the EU and was a highly respected politician and statesman, embodying the best qualities of a modern politician. His thoughts, Mr Buzek said, were with Prof. de Marco’s family and the Maltese people.

Dr Saad Elshlmani, former Libyan Ambassador to Malta, said he was greatly saddened at the news of Prof. de Marco’s passing away. As a former Libyan Ambassador to Malta between 2004-08 he enjoyed the friendship of Prof. de Marco, whom he described as a great statesman.

“He was a great sympathiser with the Palestinian cause and advocate for peace and cooperation in the Middle East. I think it is a great loss not only for Malta but to the whole Mediterranean,” Dr Elshlmani said.

The ideologically different Campaign for National Independence expressed sorrow at his death, which had shocked the people, it said. Prof. de Marco was a politician of strong will, who had always worked heartily for the country, for which the people would be grateful. The CNI said it appreciated the useful role he played for Malta to attain independence and freedom.

The Communist Party of Malta said Prof. de Marco would be remembered for his international work, especially at the United Nations. He had understood and contributed to efforts to find a just solution to the Middle East crisis, and for the Palestinian cause. In his policies he had set confrontation aside and espoused dialogue and conciliation, the Communist Party said.

The Union Haddiema Maghqudin also paid tribute, saying it was saddened at the news. Prof. de Marco would be remembered not only as an exemplary politician but also as a statesman who had brought honour to Malta. He was a great defender of democracy and of workers.

The UHM said it had worked closely with him as deputy prime minister, as a minister and as President of Malta. It had always been helped by him whenever it was needed. Prof. de Marco believed in free trade unionism.

Moviment Graffitti expressed deep sadness at the news of the passing away and said Prof. de Marco was one of the few Maltese politicians who always supported and worked for human rights, and who was never afraid to make his voice heard on issues such as that of Palestine.

Another union expressing condolences was the Malta Union of Teachers, which said he was a former member of the MUT. He had dedicated his life to his country, and the Maltese.

The Malta University History Society said Prof. de Marco’s political career spanned a long and crucial period of Maltese history, from independence to membership of the European Union, giving valuable service to the state and the people of Malta as Interior and Foreign Minister, “being himself an indefatigable contributor to Malta’s membership in the European Union”.

On the international level one cannot forget his contribution as president of the 45th session of the UN General Assembly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the society said.

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said Prof. de Marco was truly a friend both to the union and to all nurses and midwives in the country. He was very well informed on the union due to his numerous visits for renal dialysis.

He had been invited as a speaker in the renal conference organised by MUMN when he delivered a speech on his experience as a patient which was, to say the least, outstanding. “The description of his ordeal (at that time he was walking with the aid of crutches) was so emotional and vivid that the 500 nurses present in the hall were flabbergasted on the way he narrated the whole sequence of his illness,” the MUMN said.

The Forum Unions Maltin saluted Prof. de Marco who, it said, was a person of huge integrity and who had dedicated his life to be of service to the country.

He had been exemplary till his last moments, full of courage and determination. He had admired and respected the unions and industrial relations were a part of him.

The University Students’ Council expressed condolences for the loss and said that as an alumnus of KSU, Prof. de Marco had greatly contributed to the development and success of KSU throughout his lifetime, having served in the council for a number of years. “Prof. de Marco’s academic endeavour at the University has also been priceless to the large number of students that he has lectured, as has been his service to the country,” the KSU said.

At the University of Malta, where until recently he taught criminal law, he showed his dedication to students.

Barroso refers to de Marco’s ‘tireless efforts to bring Malta even closer to EU’

In a message to President George Abela yesterday, José Manuel Durão Barroso, the president of the European Commission, wrote that the commission learned with great sadness of the passing away of former President Guido de Marco.

“The Commission and myself will remember him for his pride in being Maltese and his tireless efforts to bring Malta ever closer to the European Union. He was very sharp, dedicated, and pursued Malta’s cause through his art of persuasion.

“On behalf of the European Commission and myself, I present to you, his family and to all the citizens of Malta, my most sincere condolences. Please accept, dear Mr President, the assurance of my highest consideration.”