Strasbourg (F), 12 August 2010.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) pays tribute to Georges Pierret who passed away Sunday night in Rennes.

Georges Pierret devoted his life to the defense of regionalism in France and Europe. Since the beginning of his professional career, he understood that strengthening the political role of regions was essential for their development, in particular that of his dear Bretagne.

Mr. Pierret is considered to be one of the main contributors to the creation of the AER. Following the establishment of the Council of the Regions of Europe (CRE), which later became the AER, he became the first Secretary General of our organization, from 1985 to 1992, alongside AER’s first President, Edgar Faure.

Bretagne has lost a great defender of its territory and Europe a brilliant advocate for the regional cause on our continent. The spread of the subsidiarity principle in Europe, as well as its legal recognition in national and European institutions would not have been possible without the contribution of Georges Pierret.

In light of this tragic loss, the Assembly of European Regions offers its most sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Pierret and especially to his wife Christiane.

Main achievements of Georges Pierret:

– 1967 : Secretary General of the Study and Linkage Commission of the Breton interests (CELIB)
–  May 1968: member of the delegation responsible for negotiating the future of Bretagne with the government of Pompidou
– 1973-1995 : Secretary General of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR)
– 1985-1992 : Secretary General of the Assembly of European Regions

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