Speaker Hans Dietrich Genscher on the laureate:

‘A few days ago François Seydoux de Clausonne ended his diplomatic career. His diplomatic life was always closely connected to Germany. He was born in Germany, had his first diplomatic experiences in Germany and finished his life’s work in Germany. […] The attempt at an agreement with Poland and discussions with the Soviet Union are possible only because France proved to the world that one can be on good terms with the neighboring Federal Republic of Germany.’