Latest news with #InternationalCharlemagnePrize
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Germany's new chancellor, Merz, to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday
FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the International Charlemagne Prize (Karlspreis) 2025 ceremony in Aachen, Germany, May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/Pool/File Photo
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 Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Von der Leyen honoured for fostering European unity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, 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. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected 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 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 Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US 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 defence 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 US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. 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, emphasised 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. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite 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 terrorised 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." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, 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. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected 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 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 Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US 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 defence 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 US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. 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, emphasised 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. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite 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 terrorised 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." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, 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. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected 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 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 Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US 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 defence 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 US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. 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, emphasised 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. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite 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 terrorised 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." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, 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. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected 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 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 Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US 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 defence 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 US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. 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, emphasised 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. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite 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 terrorised 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)
3 days ago
- Politics
Ursula von der Leyen honored with award for contributions to European unity
BERLIN -- 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 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. 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.'
