In this interview, Étienne Davignon, Director-General for Policy in the Belgian Foreign Ministry from 1969 to 1976, discusses the personality and actions of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and Prime Minister from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984. He describes Pierre Werner’s role in the work of the committee tasked with drafting a report on the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union in the European Community (March to October 1970). He also outlines Pierre Werner’s vision of European integration.

In this interview excerpt, Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities from 1985 to 1995, discusses the stages leading up to the publication of the ‘Delors Report', particularly mentioning the role of Pierre Werner, and describes the composition and work of the Committee of Governors, which he chaired, and which paved the way to the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty.

In this interview excerpt, Mark Eyskens, former Belgian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, describes the personality of former Luxembourg Prime Minister Pierre Werner and recalls the tensions between Brussels and Luxembourg following the unilateral devaluation of the Belgian franc in February 1982.

In this interview, Luc Frieden, Luxembourg Minister for the Treasury and the Budget from 1999 to 2009 and Minister for Finance since 2009, discusses the special role played by Luxembourg in European history and particularly describes the personality and action of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

In this interview, Albert Hansen, senior Luxembourg official from 1969 to 2002 and Secretary-General of the Government from 1978 to 1998, discusses the contacts maintained by Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, with various specialists from the international financial sector including Jacques Rueff, former French senior official and economist, and Hermann Abs, former Chairman of Deutsche Bank.

In this interview, Albert Hansen, senior Luxembourg official from 1969 to 2002 and Secretary-General of the Government from 1978 to 1998, considers the working method employed by Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, particularly in connection with his role as chairman of the international group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a report on the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union in the European Community, and also with regard to preparations for meetings of the European Council.

In this interview, Albert Hansen, senior Luxembourg official from 1969 to 2002 and Secretary-General of the Government from 1978 to 1998, discusses the personality of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and his way of tackling the various questions that he was called to deal with.

In this interview, Edmond Israel, Director-General of the Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) from 1973 to 1989, founder and President of the Board of Directors of Cedel International from 1970 to 1990, Honorary Chairman of Clearstream International since 2005 and Honorary Chairman of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange since 1996, outlines the arguments in favour of the creation of an international financial centre in Luxembourg and highlights the decisive role played by Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, in the establishment of this financial centre.

In this interview, Edmond Israel, Director-General of the Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) from 1973 to 1989, founder and President of the Board of Directors of Cedel International from 1970 to 1990, Honorary Chairman of Clearstream International since 2005 and Honorary Chairman of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange since 1996, describes how he worked with Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984 and Finance Minister from 1953 to 1959 and from 1969 to 1974, in the process of reflection on the development and consolidation of Luxembourg’s role as an international financial centre.

In this interview, Edmond Israel, Director-General of the Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) from 1973 to 1989, founder and President of the Board of Directors of Cedel International from 1970 to 1990, Honorary Chairman of Clearstream International since 2005 and Honorary Chairman of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange since 1996, describes the role played by Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, in the creation of the Luxembourg-based Société européenne des satellites (SES), a flagship project in terms of the country’s economic diversification.

In this interview excerpt, Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Eurogroup, describes the circumstances surrounding his early contacts with Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Government of Luxembourg from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

Dans cet extrait d'interview, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et président de l'Eurogroupe, évoque les circonstances de ses premiers contacts avec Pierre Werner, ministre d'État et président du gouvernement luxembourgeois de 1959 à 1974 et de 1979 à 1984.

In this interview excerpt, Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Eurogroup, discusses the nature of his professional relations with Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Government of Luxembourg from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, particularly when Juncker was State Secretary for Labour and Social Security in the Werner Government from 1982 to 1984.

Dans cet extrait d’interview, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et président de l’Eurogroupe, revient sur la nature de ses relations professionnelles avec Pierre Werner, ministre d'État et président du gouvernement luxembourgeois de 1959 à 1974 et de 1979 à 1984, notamment lorsqu’il était secrétaire d’État au Travail à la Sécurité sociale dans le gouvernement de Pierre Werner de 1982 à 1984.

In this interview excerpt, Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Eurogroup, summarises the conception of European integration held by Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Government of Luxembourg from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

Dans cet extrait d'interview, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et président de l'Eurogroupe, résume la conception qu'avait Pierre Werner, ministre d'État et président du gouvernement luxembourgeois de 1959 à 1974 et de 1979 à 1984, de la construction européenne.

In this interview excerpt, Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Eurogroup, describes the influence that Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Government of Luxembourg from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, had on his own European convictions.

Dans cet extrait d'interview, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et président de l'Eurogroupe, décrit l'influence sur ses propres convictions européennes qu'a eue Pierre Werner, ministre d'État et président du gouvernement luxembourgeois de 1959 à 1974 et de 1979 à 1984.

In this interview excerpt, Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Eurogroup, describes the discussions he had with Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Government of Luxembourg from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, about the issues surrounding the drafting of the ‘Werner Plan' on the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union.

Dans cet extrait d'interview, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et président de l'Eurogroupe, évoque les discussions qu'il a eues avec Pierre Werner, ministre d'État et président du gouvernement luxembourgeois de 1959 à 1974 et de 1979 à 1984, autour des problématiques liées à la rédaction du plan Werner sur l'édification par étapes d'une Union économique et monétaire.

In this interview excerpt, Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of the Eurogroup, discusses the Extraordinary Ecofin Council held on 31 December 1998, on the eve of the entry into circulation of the euro notes and coins, and the personal tribute that he paid to Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Government of Luxembourg from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, who, with his ‘Werner Report', is unanimously considered as the inspiration behind Economic and Monetary Union.

Dans cet extrait d'interview, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et président de l'Eurogroupe, évoque le Conseil extraordinaire Ecofin du 31 décembre 1998, à la veille de l'entrée en vigueur de l'euro scriptural, et l'hommage personnel qu'il a tenu à adresser à Pierre Werner, ministre d'État et président du gouvernement luxembourgeois de 1959 à 1974 et de 1979 à 1984, unanimement considéré comme inspirateur, avec le rapport Werner, de l'Union économique et monétaire.

In this interview, Jacques de Larosière, former Treasury Director at the French Ministry of Finance, describes reactions in France following the publication of the Werner Report on the stage-by-stage creation of a European economic and monetary union. Jacques de Larosière particularly focuses on the establishment of the European monetary snake and the European Monetary Cooperation Fund (EMCF).

In this interview excerpt, Wilfried Martens, Belgian Prime Minister from 1979 to March 1981 and December 1981 to 1992, describes the personality of Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Luxembourg Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

In this interview, Yves Mersch, former official at the Luxembourg Finance Ministry responsible for international relations and cooperation with international financial organisations, Director of the Treasury from 1989 to 1998 and Governor of the Banque Centrale du Luxembourg since 1998, describes the personality of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

In this interview, Yves Mersch, former official at the Luxembourg Finance Ministry responsible for international relations and cooperation with international financial organisations, Director of the Treasury from 1989 to 1998 and Governor of the Banque Centrale du Luxembourg since 1998, emphasises the thorough knowledge of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, with regard to monetary questions and particularly the process of European economic and monetary union.

In this interview, Yves Mersch, former official at the Luxembourg Finance Ministry responsible for international relations and cooperation with international financial organisations, Director of the Treasury from 1989 to 1998 and Governor of the Banque Centrale du Luxembourg since 1998, describes how Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, attributed a great deal of importance to the monetary phenomenon in the light of the increased financialisation of the economy, and considered it vital for the European Community to adopt a common monetary policy.

In this interview, Yves Mersch, former official at the Luxembourg Finance Ministry responsible for international relations and cooperation with international financial organisations, Director of the Treasury from 1989 to 1998 and Governor of the Banque Centrale du Luxembourg since 1998, discusses the involvement of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, in the creation of the Société européenne des satellites (SES), one of the flagship projects in the economic diversification of Luxembourg.

In this interview, Jean Mischo, member of the Legal Service of the Commission of the European Communities from 1964 to 1969 and Chief Administrator in the Cabinets of European Commissioners Victor Bodson and Albert Borschette from 1969 to 1970, discusses the 1969 Hague Summit that determined the arrangements for a revival of the European integration process; these included the establishment of a committee of experts, chaired by Pierre Werner, tasked with analysing the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union in the European Community.

In this interview, Guy de Muyser, diplomat in the Luxembourg Foreign Ministry from 1956 to 1969 and from 1980 to 1991, describes the personality and political style of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and places him in the long line of great Luxembourg statesmen.

In this interview, Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, leader of the Belgian Christian Social Party from 1972 to 1979, describes his first meeting with Pierre Werner in connection with the electoral campaign for the 1979 European elections.

In this interview, Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, leader of the Belgian Christian Social Party from 1972 to 1979, discusses the reasons that led Pierre Werner to stand in the European elections in 1979.

In this interview, Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, former Belgian Foreign Minister, describes how he perceives the role played by Pierre Werner as Leader of the Opposition between 1974 and 1979.

In this interview, Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Interior and the Civil Service from 1981 to 1985, describes the reactions of the Luxembourg Government to the devaluation of Belgian franc in February 1982.

In this interview, Lex Roth, a former teacher seconded to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and given responsibility for organising Luxembourgish language courses from 1980 to 1984, describes the personality of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

In this interview, Lex Roth, a former teacher seconded to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and given responsibility for organising Luxembourgish language courses from 1980 to 1984, describes the circumstances surrounding his meeting with Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Prime Minister and Minister of State from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984 and Minister for Cultural Affairs from 1979 to 1984. Lex Roth also mentions the discussions he had with Pierre Werner on questions of Luxembourgish language and cultural identity.

In this interview, Charles Ruppert, former Chairman of the Luxembourg Bankers' Association and Vice-President of the Council of State and current Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Pierre Werner Foundation, looks back at the circumstances surrounding his first meeting with Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, during the time when Charles Ruppert was an actuary at the Social Insurance Office of Luxembourg.

In this interview, Charles Ruppert, former Chairman of the Luxembourg Bankers’ Association and Vice-President of the Council of State and current Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Pierre Werner Foundation, describes the confidence and appreciation expressed by his counterparts with regard to Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

In this interview, Charles Ruppert, former Chairman of the Luxembourg Bankers’ Association and Vice-President of the Council of State and current Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Pierre Werner Foundation, describes the personality of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

In this interview, Jacques Santer, Minister of State and President of the Luxembourg Government from 1984 to 1995 and President of the European Commission from 1995 to 1999, describes the personality and European action of Pierre Werner, Minister of State and President of the Luxembourg Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984. Jacques Santer served as minister in several governments led by Pierre Werner and succeeded him in 1984 as head of the Luxembourg Government.

In this interview, René Steichen, Luxembourg Minister for Agriculture and Minister with responsibility for Cultural Affairs and Scientific Research from 1989 to 1992, European Commissioner for Agriculture from 1992 to 1995 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SES ASTRA (originally known as the Société européenne des satellites) since 1996, describes the impact for Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, of the drafting of the report on the establishment of economic and monetary union in 1970, known as the ‘Werner Report’ because it was drawn up under his chairmanship.

In this interview, René Steichen, Luxembourg Minister for Agriculture and Minister with responsibility for Cultural Affairs and Scientific Research from 1989 to 1992, European Commissioner for Agriculture from 1992 to 1995 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SES ASTRA (originally known as the Société européenne des satellites) since 1996, describes the relationship at the time between Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and his future successors, Jacques Santer and Jean-Claude Juncker.

In this interview, René Steichen, Luxembourg Minister for Agriculture and Minister with responsibility for Cultural Affairs and Scientific Research from 1989 to 1992, European Commissioner for Agriculture from 1992 to 1995 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SES ASTRA (originally known as the Société européenne des satellites) since 1996, shares his memories as a young man of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984.

In this interview excerpt, Hans Tietmeyer, President of the Bundesbank from 1993 to 1999, head of division responsible for issues relating to economic policy and the economic order in the Ministry of Economics from 1967 to 1970 and former alternate member of the Werner Committee, recalls the circumstances surrounding the appointment in 1970 of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and Prime Minister from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, as chairman of the committee tasked with drafting a report on the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union in the Community, known as the ‘Werner Report’ or the ‘Werner Plan’.

In this interview excerpt, Hans Tietmeyer, President of the Bundesbank from 1993 to 1999, head of division responsible for issues relating to economic policy and the economic order in the Ministry of Economics from 1967 to 1970 and former alternate member of the Werner Committee, discusses the work of the committee tasked with drafting a report on the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union and describes the relationship between committee chairman Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and Prime Minister from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and the other committee members.

In this interview excerpt, Hans Tietmeyer, President of the Bundesbank from 1993 to 1999, head of division responsible for issues relating to economic policy and the economic order in the Ministry of Economics from 1967 to 1970 and former alternate member of the Werner Committee, describes the atmosphere during the work of the committee chaired by Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and Prime Minister from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, which was tasked with drafting a report on the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union in the Community. He also discusses the main problems addressed by the committee, particularly referring to the debates between the economists and the monetarists.

In this interview excerpt, Hans Tietmeyer, President of the Bundesbank from 1993 to 1999, head of division responsible for issues relating to economic policy and the economic order in the Ministry of Economics from 1967 to 1970 and former alternate member of the Werner Committee, describes his role in the work of the committee chaired by Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and Prime Minister from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, which was tasked with drafting a report on the establishment by stages of an economic and monetary union in the Community.

In this interview, Henri Werner, the son of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and chairman of the group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a plan for the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union (the ‘Werner Plan’), describes the personality of his father through various events of his life, particularly highlighting his qualities as a man of dialogue.

In this interview, Henri Werner, the son of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and chairman of the group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a plan for the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union (the ‘Werner Plan’), describes the discussions and proposals concerning the possible nomination of his father as President of the European Commission. Henri Werner emphasises the fact that his father believed he would have more influence in European negotiations as Luxembourg Head of Government and Minister of State than as President of the European Commission.

In this interview, Henri Werner, the son of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and chairman of the group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a plan for the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union (the ‘Werner Plan’), looks back at the origins of his father’s interest in monetary questions as a driver for European integration, and emphasises his contacts with Professor Triffin on this matter.

In this interview, Henri Werner, the son of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and chairman of the group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a plan for the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union (the ‘Werner Plan’), gives his views on his father’s involvement in the drafting of the report on economic and monetary union in 1970 and describes the nature of his father’s relationship with Willy Brandt and Georges Pompidou.

In this interview, Marie-Anne Werner, the daughter of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and chairman of the group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a plan for the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union (the ‘Werner Plan'), looks back at the origins of her father's European ideals.

In this interview, Marie-Anne Werner, the daughter of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and chairman of the group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a plan for the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union (the ‘Werner Plan'), describes from a family point of view the drafting of the report on the establishment of economic and monetary union in 1970, under the chairmanship of her father. Marie-Anne Werner also alludes to her father's disappointment when the report was put on hold and the way in which he continued to monitor the question of economic and monetary union closely. Finally, Marie-Anne Werner mentions those who Pierre Werner saw as continuing his work in this field, such as Jacques Delors, Jacques Santer and Luc Frieden.

In this interview, Marie-Anne Werner, the daughter of Pierre Werner, Luxembourg Minister of State and President of the Government from 1959 to 1974 and from 1979 to 1984, and chairman of the group of experts set up in 1970 to draft a plan for the establishment by stages of economic and monetary union (the ‘Werner Plan'), describes her father's admiration for various European and American political figures.