Helmut Kohl, 'architect' of German reunification, dies at 87

Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, considered the 'architect' of German reunification, passed away on June 16 (local time) at the age of 87, Reuters news agency reported.

Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl at an event in 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany - Photo: Reuters

Mr. Kohl was the longest-serving German chancellor since World War II (1982 - 1998).

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the party Mr Kohl once led, confirmed the news on Twitter with the words "We are saddened".

In European politics, Helmut Kohl was an influential figure, one of the "heroes" who helped unite Europe. He was instrumental in the birth of the euro and convinced the Germans to abandon their domestic currency and switch to the euro.

He was a close friend of French President Francois Mitterrand in his push for deeper European Union integration. Former Chancellor Kohl's health had declined significantly and he was confined to a wheelchair after a fall in 2008.

Former Chancellor Kohl was described by US presidents George HW Bush and Bill Clinton as "the greatest European leader of the second half of the 20th century".

Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl (right) sits next to "future Chancellor" Angela Merkel at the 10th anniversary of German reunification in 2000 - Photo: Reuters

In his native Germany, former Chancellor Kohl is revered as the father of German reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In 1999, shortly after retiring from politics, his reputation was affected by a financial scandal within the CDU party. Despite this, the former German chancellor remained influential in politics, having helped Angela Merkel, the current German chancellor, enter politics with a cabinet position.

Many European and world leaders have expressed their grief at the passing of the former German chancellor. From the US, former President George HW Bush (Bush Sr.) and his wife expressed their sorrow "at the loss of a true friend of freedom, the greatest leader of post-war Europe".

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called his predecessor "a patriot, a great European... The unity of this country, this continent will forever be associated with his name".

In Brussels, flags of European Union countries were lowered to half-mast in a sign of mourning for the loss of the bloc's "chief architect". European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Twitter he was heartbroken by the passing of Mr Kohl, whom he considered a "true adviser and friend".

According to Tuoi Tre