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Étienne Davignon

Member of the Board of trustees of the Jacques Delors Institute

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Étienne Davignon began his career at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1959, where he served as Head of Cabinet to Paul-Henri Spaak before becoming Director-General for Belgian foreign policy. In this capacity, he drafted in 1970 the report that bears his name, laying the foundations for European Political Cooperation. In 1977, he joined the European Commission as Commissioner for Industrial Affairs, before being appointed Vice-President of the Commission, in charge of Industry, Research and Energy, a position he held until 1985.

Following his time at the Commission, he continued his European engagement: he served as President of the Egmont Institute and of the Bilderberg Group, and was currently President of Friends of Europe and President Emeritus of Europe Jacques Delors.

Étienne Davignon passed away on 18 May 2026. The Jacques Delors Institute pays tribute to the memory of a man whose commitment to European integration left a lasting mark on our continent. We also recall his close relationship with Jacques Delors; their shared European commitment will live on through the work of the Jacques Delors Foundation – Friends of Europe and its member organisations, including the Jacques Delors Institute.

Publications of : Étienne Davignon

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