Cypriotisch Voorzitterschap: 'EU ondanks financiële crisis waardevol, robuust en bron van inspiratie' (en)

Τhe Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union is very pleased that the EU was awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. It is a great honour for the European Union to receive this prize. The award is a timely recognition of the EU’s achievements over sixty years in promoting peace and reconciliation, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These are the values that lie at the core of the European Union and which the EU promotes in order to make a better Europe both for its own citizens and for the whole world.

At the same time, the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, underlines the EU’s increased responsibility to continue pursuing peace efforts both in the European continent and worldwide. However, in order to fully accomplish the peace vision of the founding fathers of the EU we need to achieve lasting peace in Western Balkans, Cyprus and the Middle East.

The award is a strong signal that the EU, despite the difficult circumstances that it is undergoing due to the financial crisis, is a valuable and robust project that inspires people; a project that from its own nature promotes peace through unity, unification and integration; a foundation that we should continue to strengthen for the benefit of all Europeans and for the world as a whole.

Demetris Christofias

President of the Council of the EU