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Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the death of Helmut Kohl

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The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued the following statement on the death of Helmut Kohl, former Chancellor of Germany:

“Today, we mourn the passing of Helmut Kohl, who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998.

“Mr. Kohl believed in cooperation and reconciliation, and was driven by a vision of a unified, modern Germany. Within a year of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, this dream was realized with the reunification of East and West Germany and the first free, universal election in the country in almost 60 years.

“His calls for unity did not stop at the German border. Mr. Kohl also advocated for a political and economic union within Europe. He spearheaded the Maastricht Treaty, which led to the current European Union and the single European currency.

“I have fond memories of meeting Mr. Kohl when I was a child. Many Germans will be mourning his passage today. I mourn alongside them.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kohl, the German people, and all who admired his tireless efforts in favour of unity and cooperation.”