French politician (1918–2016)
Edgard Edouard Pisani (; 9 October 1918 – 20 June 2016) was a French statesman, philosopher, and writer.
He was a European Commissioner and Member of the European Parliament.
Biography.
Pisani was born in Tunis, French Tunisia, of French parents of Maltese origin. He spent his childhood in Tunisia and later studied in Paris. Pisani holds a "licence de lettres" from La Sorbonne, and a Doctorate in political science.
A "résistant" and significant protagonist of the Liberation of Paris in August 1944, he held positions in various governments in France: Senator (1954–1961), (1974–1981), Minister of Agriculture (1961–1966), Parliamentarian (1967–1968), European Commissioner (1981–1985), Minister of New Caledonia (1985), President of the Arab World Institute (1988–1995). In 1992, with Bertrand Hervieu, he formed the "Groupe de Seillac" followed in 1995 by the "Groupe de Bruges", both being think tanks specialising in agricultural and rural affairs. Since 1992 he has been a member of the French Economic and Social Council. In 1993 he was awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Laws) by the University of Bath. The Fonds Edgard Pisani are available in the Archives nationales of France.
Pisani also served on the Agri-Energy Roundtable (AER)'s Committee of Honor, a UN accredited non-governmental organisation chaired by US Senator Jennings Randolph (D)-WV).
He died on 20 June 2016 at the age of 97.