Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the European Union

The European Union has won the Nobel Peace Prize for its long-term role in uniting the continent, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said today..

Norway is not a member of the European Union.

In their press release the NNC noted, "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 is to be awarded to the European Union (EU). The union and its forerunners have for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.

In the inter-war years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee made several awards to persons who were seeking reconciliation between Germany and France. Since 1945, that reconciliation has become a reality. The dreadful suffering in World War II demonstrated the need for a new Europe. Over a seventy-year period, Germany and France had fought three wars. Today war between Germany and France is unthinkable. This shows how, through well-aimed efforts and by building up mutual confidence, historical enemies can become close partners.

In the 1980s, Greece, Spain and Portugal joined the EU. The introduction of democracy was a condition for their membership. The fall of the Berlin Wall made EU membership possible for several Central and Eastern European countries, thereby opening a new era in European history. The division between East and West has to a large extent been brought to an end; democracy has been strengthened; many ethnically-based national conflicts have been settled.

The admission of Croatia as a member next year, the opening of membership negotiations with Montenegro, and the granting of candidate status to Serbia all strengthen the process of reconciliation in the Balkans. In the past decade, the possibility of EU membership for Turkey has also advanced democracy and human rights in that country.

The EU is currently undergoing grave economic difficulties and considerable social unrest. The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to focus on what it sees as the EU's most important result: the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights. The stabilizing part played by the EU has helped to transform most of Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace.

The work of the EU represents "fraternity between nations", and amounts to a form of the "peace congresses" to which Alfred Nobel refers as criteria for the Peace Prize in his 1895 will."

European Council President Herman van Rompuy reacting to the award said:  "We are all very proud that the efforts of the EU for keeping the peace in Europe are rewarded.  "Europe got through two civil wars in the 20th century and we have established peace thanks to the European Union. So the European Union is the biggest peacemaker in history."

"And all levels of decision making in the European Union must take this high award as incentive to continue with their fullest power the path to closer integration. "It's a clear rejection of nationalism and the sole pursuit of national interest. The Nobel Prize Committee deserves respect for this decision. In this way the European Union can serve as a role model for other regions for a socially, economically, culturally and politically successful community."

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder noted: "This is an important and right decision by the Nobel Prize Committee and a big encouragement for the people of Europe. It comes at the right time for closer togetherness in Europe and it strengthens those powers that are pushing for closer integration in the European Union."

But not everyone was happy.

Nigel Farage, head of Britain's eurosceptic U.K. Independence Party mocked:  "This goes to show that the Norwegians really do have a sense of humor. The EU may be getting the booby prize for peace because it sure hasn't created prosperity. The EU has created poverty and unemployment for millions."

"Nobel prize for the EU. At a time Brussels and all of Europe is collapsing in misery. What's next? An Oscar for Van Rompuy?" — said Dutch eurosceptic right-wing nationalist and anti-muslim lawmaker Geert Wilders, referring to Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council.

Obviously many more reactions can be expected, but overall the majority of EU citizens can be proud of this achievement. Their unique political project has brought peace and stability to Europe for close to 70 years now, and judging by the many countries in Europe still eager to join the European Union it has not lost any of its initial appeal. 

EU-Digest