Peter, I will admit to a conspiracy...! When you asked me on phone in the Spring of 2006 how I envisaged the follow up to the UN High level dialogue of September 2006 and the possibility that the GFMD might be the right mechanism, if there were not so many countries opposing it...I told you, and what if we simply created it ...and should I see if the Belgian government would agree to that ???? An exciting adventure followed, with many more telephone conversations, hatching out itàs structure, work method and partners... and after over 10 years the GFMD is there to stay..Your tireless effort to keep it on track and give it meaning will not be forgotten and I have fond memories of this fruitfull cooperation.
It is a pitty that people like you have to die, I wish you and your family the comfort that you were not in this world in vain and left it a better place through all your many important endeavours, guided by a exceptional clarity of mind, the courage of saying what you believed to be right and your steadfast belief in a better future for all.