Video PlayerClose

PARIS, June 16 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron Friday paid tribute to former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl after learning about his death, saying "the great achievements of our Europe owe a lot to Helmut KohL: Schengen, the single currency, the beginnings of European defense."

Helmut Kohl "was one of the great men of Europe and of the free world," Macron said in a statement, adding that "as a craftsman of the unification of his country, Helmut Kohl, together with Francois Mitterand, forged the unity of Europe and deepened the Franco-German relationship."

"Reformer, visionary and integrator, Helmut Kohl marked our collective history," he expressed his appreciation for the former German Chancellor.

Macron also addressed to German chancellor Angela Merkel and to Germany his testimony of sympathy and friendship.

Kohl died at his home in Germany's Ludwigshafen on Friday at the age of 87.

He served as German chancellor between 1982 and 1998 and is well known as the "chancellor of unity," for his active political plan bringing west and east Germany together.