"The legacy of a visionary and architect of modern Europe is a more cohesive, more solidary and stronger Union. The former President of the European Commission was an inspiration to all of us who are committed to a united and effective Europe," said Prime Minister Golob.

Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission (1985–1995), was a French politician and Finance Minister during the presidency of Francois Mitterrand (1981–1984). He was an ardent advocate of post-war European integration. During the Delors “decade”, the EU established an integrated single market, abolished internal borders (Schengen) and decided to introduce a single currency. It was during his time that the then European Community was enlarged to include Spain and Portugal, as well as  Austria, Finland and Sweden, and the conditions were set for the admission of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to the EU after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Despite challenges in the times of Margaret Thatcher's government, he succeeded in establishing the main principles of the bloc's integration – an ever closer union – including Schengen and the Erasmus programme. In 1996, he set up the Jacques Delors Institute, which focuses on European issues.

For his outstanding contribution to the development of the European project, he was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Europe in June 2015. This title has so far been awarded only to Jean Monnet (1976), Helmut Kohl (1998) and Jacques Delors (2015).