Von der Leyen honoured for advancing European unity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the creation of an independent Europe on Thursday after receiving the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in the western German city of Aachen.
"An independent Europe - I know this message sounds scary to many people. But this is essentially about our freedom," von der Leyen said.
She warned of the misconception of trusting that everything will return to the way it was before. "That will not happen. Because the geopolitical tensions are enormous."
"The world is once again shaped by imperial powers and imperial wars. By great powers that are prepared to use all means, fair and foul, to gain an advantage," she said, noting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a striking example of this trend.
The need to invest in European security is therefore becoming ever more urgent, she said.
"A new international order will emerge within this decade," von der Leyen said. She emphasized that Europe must shape this order. "Our mission is European independence."
In the economic sphere, the EU also aims to strengthen its trade partnership with the United States, seeking a more stable and strategic transatlantic relationship, she said.
"But we also know that 87% of world trade is with other countries that are all seeking stability and looking for opportunities," she emphasized.
Merz: Germany backs stronger, safer Europe
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed support for the strengthening of Europe and its defence, as he honoured von der Leyen during his speech at the award ceremony.
Merz emphasized the need for Europe to now embody peace externally as well. "Germany stands ready to lead the way in this task with all determination in close coordination with our European partners and neighbours."
Turning to von der Leyen, the EU's most high-profile politician, Merz praised her leadership: "You give Europe a voice in the world - a European voice."
He added that she was being awarded the Charlemagne Prize "most deservedly" for her efforts.
Merz also reiterated the German government's continued support for Ukraine, stating, "We will support Ukraine with all our strength."
Calling for deeper cooperation among European defence industries, he added: "We Germans are prepared to make far-reaching decisions at the NATO summit in June."
Spanish king rejects calls to dismantle the EU
In his speech, Spanish King Felipe VI firmly rejected calls to dismantle the European Union, warning against the rise of "dangerous and misguided voices" advocating for a return to isolated national politics.
"We need to confront them! Dangerous and misguided voices that argue that Europeans will be freer, more independent and sovereign if they inhabit separate national political communities and work alone to address global challenges," he said.
A reversal of the European Union would leave Europeans powerless to the whims of others, he stated.
"The international environment - I strongly believe - calls for more Europe."
The Charlemagne Prize
The Charlemagne Prize is widely regarded as the highest honour for contributions to European unity. The award committee praised von der Leyen for "keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action."
The German conservative-turned-EU politician wants her prize money of €1 million ($1.1 million) which is being awarded for the first time this year, to be used for projects benefitting Ukrainian children.
The award recipient decides jointly with the Charlemagne Prize board how the prize money should be used. The money was donated by a married couple of entrepreneurs from Aachen.
Among former laureates are many politicians - British prime minister Winston Churchill, German chancellor Angela Merkel and US president Bill Clinton - as well as representatives of European institutions and the late pope Francis.
In 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people were honoured.
The last European Commission president to receive the prize was Jacques Delors in 1992, widely regarded as the architect of the European single market and a key pioneer of the euro.
The award is named after Charlemagne, whose Frankish empire extended over large parts of Europe in the early Middle Ages and who is therefore sometimes referred to as the Father of Europe.
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