"The Congress has just learned with great sadness about the death of Charles Ricq on July 30. Mr Ricq has often been consulted by Congress as an expert on regionalisation and cross-border cooperation. We will remember him as a committed European" said Congress Secretary General Andreas Kiefer in his letter of condolence on 10 August 2018.

"I had the privilege to work with Charles also in my previous professional life when representing Land Salzburg in inter-regional structures and in academic networks and I appreciated his friendly personality and open mind." he added.

"With his exceptional competence and dedication he contributed to finding practical and innovative solutions pioneering developments that present generations benefit from," he said.