Latest news with #CharlemagnePrize
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ursula Von Der Leyen Honored with Award for Contributions to European Unity
The Associated Press European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, receives the Charlemagne Prize by Juergen Linden, left, Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors, in Aachen, Germany, Thursday, May 29, 2025. BERLIN (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the International Charlemagne Prize, an annual award for contributions to European unity, on Thursday as the 27-nation bloc confronts Russia's war against Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security issues across the continent. The European Union's most high-profile political figure, von der Leyen was called 'the embodiment of the European spirit' by King Felipe VI of Spain during Thursday's ceremony in Aachen, Germany. Last year, European Parliament lawmakers reelected her to a second five-year term as president of the EU's powerful executive arm. The commission proposes legislation for the EU's 27 member countries — and its 450 million people — and ensures that the rules governing the world's biggest trading bloc are respected. It's made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy. After coming to office in 2019, von der Leyen led the EU drive to secure COVID-19 vaccines and has been a major supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With governments weakened in France and Germany at the time, she sought to play a greater role in the bloc's affairs. The Trump administration and Europe The Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defense as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to pull back America's protection commitments to the continent, upending the post-World War II order that has formed the basis for global stability and security. 'A clear message is coming out of Washington: Europeans ought to do more to provide for the defense of their own continent,' Felipe said. 'We should not underestimate how consequential this message is. There are few alive today that have lived in a Europe where the U.S., the United States, was not the dominant security provider.' Merz, whose election earlier this month was seen as a reemergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up U.S. Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year. Vance, 'in his own very special way,' confronted what Europeans stand for, Merz said. Vance at the time complained about the state of democracy and free speech in Europe, and lambasted German political parties — days before a national election — for their so-called 'firewall' against working with far-right parties. 'We actually stand for what we have been able to develop, to design, what we have actually fought for during centuries — and despite many backlashes and disasters — that we actually defend what is dear to us and important: freedom and democracy,' Merz said. Both leaders, as well as von der Leyen, emphasized the importance of responding to Trump's changing tariff policies with a single voice. 'We will never be a protectionist continent,' von der Leyen said. Recalling Anne Frank The International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favorite palace in the western German city in the late eighth century. Aachen, on the Dutch border, is also famous as the birthplace of teenage diarist Anne Frank's mother, Edith Holländer. She and Otto Frank married in Aachen's synagogue, which was destroyed during the Kristallnacht — or the 'Night of Broken Glass' — in 1938 in which the Nazis terrorized Jews throughout Germany and Austria. The Frank family later left Germany upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power and eventually went into hiding in 1942 in a secret annex in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. They were later sent to concentration camps, where all but Otto Frank died. Anne Frank's world-famous diary was published after the end of World War II. In her speech Thursday, von der Leyen spoke about the Frank family, the synagogue and the city's importance to Europe's history — and its future. 'Today in Aachen, there's a new synagogue,' von der Leyen said. 'A symbol of rebirth, of resurrection, but also of remembrance. A painful reminder for Europe to be alert and withstand all those who sow hatred and want to divide our society.'
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
In riposte to Vance, Germany's Merz says Europe stands for freedom
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the International Charlemagne Prize (Karlspreis) 2025 ceremony in Aachen, Germany, May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/Pool BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said Europe was prepared to fight if necessary for its core values of freedom and democracy, in an explicit riposte to the Trump administration's repeated criticisms of the European Union. Speaking at a ceremony to award European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the Charlemagne Prize, Merz also repeated that Europe did not want an escalation in its tariff dispute with the United States that harmed both sides. He recalled a speech by U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Munich in February, in which Vance made a blistering attack on Europe, saying it faced a "threat from within" and that free speech was "in retreat". Merz's remarks come a day after the U.S. said it would impose visa bans on foreign nationals it deems to be censoring Americans, which could include officials regulating U.S. tech companies. No specific targets were named, but U.S. tech companies and the Trump administration have challenged U.S. allies in Europe, alleging censorship of social media platforms. "U.S. Vice President JD Vance confronted us with this question in his own way in Munich at the beginning of the year: What is it that we Europeans defend together? What is it that we stand for together?" Merz said. "Ladies and gentlemen, we don't have just any answer to that. We have the strongest and best answer imaginable," he said. "It is: We in Europe stand for what we – over centuries, through countless setbacks and catastrophes – what we have conceived, developed, achieved, and fought for together: namely, the conviction that freedom and democracy are worth standing up for resolutely and, if necessary, fighting to preserve them." Merz, a conservative who took office this year vowing to make the German army the strongest conventional force in Europe, said Germany would not stand on the sidelines to strengthen Europe, and hailed "a new spirit of unity" among Europeans. He cited support for Ukraine and a trade and defence reset with Britain earlier this month. (Writing by Matthias WilliamsEditing by Ros Russell)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ursula von der Leyen awarded Charlemagne Prize for promoting European unity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has won this year's Charlemagne Prize, the continent's top award for those promoting European values. At the award ceremony in Aachen on Tuesday, the EU executive chief outlined the priorities for Europe over the upcoming years, emphasising the importance of securing peace through defence, advancing the EU's enlargement, and safeguarding democracy while reinforcing Europe's resilience. 'Dear friends, an independent Europe. I know that for some this is an uncomfortable message to hear. But at its core, this is about our freedom," von der Leyen said in her acceptance speech. "As the people of central and eastern Europe have long known, personal liberty is possible only when there is collective independence,' she added. Several heads of state and former laureates participated in the ceremony, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spain's King Felipe VI, Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Among elected politicians in attendance, only Merz took the floor during the ceremony. Speaking about the most pressing geopolitical issues facing the European continent, Merz stated that Germany is "ready and prepared to do its part," in close coordination with other European countries, to address the challenges ahead. "We are ready and prepared to do our part in supporting Ukraine, working closely with our European neighbours," Merz said. "We will continue supporting Ukraine with everything we have, militarily, politically, and economically. Just yesterday, President Zelenskyy and I reinforced this commitment in Berlin," he added. He further emphasised that Europe was founded to serve its people and that his generation, the first to grow up in a Europe of freedom, peace, and prosperity, inherited this legacy from the founding fathers, underscoring a shared responsibility to uphold and protect these values for the future. Meanwhile, some analysts have felt that there were better candidates for the award than the European Commission chief, given her role in the 27-member bloc's institutions. 'If the point of the Charlemagne Prize is to recognise innovative thinking and action at unprecedented geopolitical times for the continent, it should reward imaginative and courageous individuals, not institutional figures such as von der Leyen,' Alberto Alemanno, EU law professor at HEC Paris, told Euronews. 'From this perspective, the conferral of the prize to von der Leyen appears more a celebration of her political survival ... than a recognition of a contribution to EU integration,' he added. Related 'Choose Europe,' von der Leyen tells US scientists threatened by Trump's policies Germany agrees €5bn in aid to Ukraine and joint production of long-range weapons The International Charlemagne Prize has been awarded since 1950 to individuals or institutions for their services to Europe and the continent's unity. In recent years, the prize has been awarded to high-level politicians, activists and communities, including the former Chief Rabbi of Moscow and president of the Conference of European Rabbis Pinchas Goldschmidt and the Jewish communities in Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people, Belarusian opposition leaders Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Kalesnikava and Veronika Tsepkalo, and the former president of Romania Klaus Iohannis.
Euronews
3 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Von der Leyen awarded Charlemagne Prize for promoting European unity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has won this year's Charlemagne Prize, the continent's top award for those promoting European values. At the award ceremony in Aachen on Tuesday, the EU executive chief outlined the priorities for Europe over the upcoming years, emphasising the importance of securing peace through defence, advancing the EU's enlargement, and safeguarding democracy while reinforcing Europe's resilience. 'Dear friends, an independent Europe. I know that for some this is an uncomfortable message to hear. But at its core, this is about our freedom," von der Leyen said in her acceptance speech. "As the people of central and eastern Europe have long known, personal liberty is possible only when there is collective independence,' she added. Several heads of state and former laureates participated in the ceremony, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spain's King Felipe VI, Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Among elected politicians in attendance, only Merz took the floor during the ceremony. Speaking about the most pressing geopolitical issues facing the European continent, Merz stated that Germany is "ready and prepared to do its part," in close coordination with other European countries, to address the challenges ahead. "We are ready and prepared to do our part in supporting Ukraine, working closely with our European neighbours," Merz said. "We will continue supporting Ukraine with everything we have, militarily, politically, and economically. Just yesterday, President Zelenskyy and I reinforced this commitment in Berlin," he added. He further emphasised that Europe was founded to serve its people and that his generation, the first to grow up in a Europe of freedom, peace, and prosperity, inherited this legacy from the founding fathers, underscoring a shared responsibility to uphold and protect these values for the future. Meanwhile, some analysts have felt that there were better candidates for the award than the European Commission chief, given her role in the 27-member bloc's institutions. 'If the point of the Charlemagne Prize is to recognise innovative thinking and action at unprecedented geopolitical times for the continent, it should reward imaginative and courageous individuals, not institutional figures such as von der Leyen,' Alberto Alemanno, EU law professor at HEC Paris, told Euronews. 'From this perspective, the conferral of the prize to von der Leyen appears more a celebration of her political survival ... than a recognition of a contribution to EU integration,' he added. The International Charlemagne Prize has been awarded since 1950 to individuals or institutions for their services to Europe and the continent's unity. In recent years, the prize has been awarded to high-level politicians, activists and communities, including the former Chief Rabbi of Moscow and president of the Conference of European Rabbis Pinchas Goldschmidt and the Jewish communities in Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people, Belarusian opposition leaders Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Kalesnikava and Veronika Tsepkalo, and the former president of Romania Klaus Iohannis.
