Gianfranco Martini, founder of the Italian section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (AICCRE) and key figure of the European municipal movement, passed away at the age of eighty-seven.  An active campaigner for the European construction, he has accompanied CEMR and the AICCRE throughout their histories, be it from a political, professional or personal point of view.

“Gianfranco Martini’s passing constitutes a big loss for all those who believe in the European Union’s founding principles and in the power that words and thoughts can have when these are coupled with the actions needed to build a just, united and humane European society.  Until the very end, Martini supported our organisation and stayed true to his beliefs, shared by all those who grew to know and love him,” declared Frédéric Vallier, CEMR secretary general.

A strong supporter and instigator of the town twinning movement, Martini presided over CEMR’s twinning committee for a number of years.  His involvement was rewarded in his own country on numerous occasions, but he cherished the European accolades most of all.  In 2009, Martini received a medal from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and, in 2011, a medal from CEMR at the occasion of its 60th anniversary celebration in Geneva, which marked the last time he participated in a European event outside of Italy.

To his children, family, to the AICCRE and all of his friends, we would like to express our sincere condolences.  A CEMR and AICCRE tribute to Gianfranco Martini will be held in Venice on 29 October 2012.

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