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EU collects Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo | EU collects Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The presidents of the EU's three main institutions have collected the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway's capital Oslo. | The presidents of the EU's three main institutions have collected the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway's capital Oslo. |
The EU was awarded the prize for its role in uniting the continent after two world wars. | The EU was awarded the prize for its role in uniting the continent after two world wars. |
At the ceremony there was applause when the leaders of France and Germany stood up, holding hands. | At the ceremony there was applause when the leaders of France and Germany stood up, holding hands. |
Critics say the award is inappropriate. They point out that the eurozone crisis has exposed deep divisions in the 27-nation bloc. | Critics say the award is inappropriate. They point out that the eurozone crisis has exposed deep divisions in the 27-nation bloc. |
Most of Europe's national leaders were at the event, but not the UK's David Cameron. | Most of Europe's national leaders were at the event, but not the UK's David Cameron. |
The British prime minister's deputy, Nick Clegg - a longstanding advocate of the European project - represented the UK at the ceremony. | The British prime minister's deputy, Nick Clegg - a longstanding advocate of the European project - represented the UK at the ceremony. |
Nobel committee chairman href="http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2012/presentation-speech.html" title="Speech by Thorbjoern Jagland, 10 Dec 12" >Thorbjoern Jagland told the audience that in the current economic crisis "the political framework in which the union is rooted is more important than ever". | |
"We must stand together, we have collective responsibility," he said, warning of a risk of new nationalism in Europe. | "We must stand together, we have collective responsibility," he said, warning of a risk of new nationalism in Europe. |
The prize was received jointly by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Martin Schulz. | The prize was received jointly by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Martin Schulz. |
In his acceptance speech, Mr Van Rompuy paid tribute to the post-war leaders of France and Germany who had forged the EU by uniting their economic interests. | In his acceptance speech, Mr Van Rompuy paid tribute to the post-war leaders of France and Germany who had forged the EU by uniting their economic interests. |
He praised "the EU's secret weapon - an unrivalled way of binding our interests so tightly that war becomes impossible". | He praised "the EU's secret weapon - an unrivalled way of binding our interests so tightly that war becomes impossible". |
"It is better to fight around the table than on a battlefield," he said, quoting Jean Monnet, one of the EU's founders. | "It is better to fight around the table than on a battlefield," he said, quoting Jean Monnet, one of the EU's founders. |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel sat next to French President Francois Hollande at the ceremony in Oslo City Hall. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel sat next to French President Francois Hollande at the ceremony in Oslo City Hall. |
'Ich bin ein Europaer' | 'Ich bin ein Europaer' |
Mr Van Rompuy said the economic crisis was fuelling "the return of long-forgotten faultlines and stereotypes", but added: "Even such tensions don't take us back to the darkness of the past." | Mr Van Rompuy said the economic crisis was fuelling "the return of long-forgotten faultlines and stereotypes", but added: "Even such tensions don't take us back to the darkness of the past." |
He ended by adapting the famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" quote from the late US President John F Kennedy during the Cold War. | He ended by adapting the famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" quote from the late US President John F Kennedy during the Cold War. |
He said he hoped future generations would "say with pride 'Ich bin ein Europaer', 'Je suis fier d'etre Europeen', 'I'm proud to be European'". | He said he hoped future generations would "say with pride 'Ich bin ein Europaer', 'Je suis fier d'etre Europeen', 'I'm proud to be European'". |
Four young Europeans, selected through an open EU competition, were in the delegation with equal status alongside the politicians. | Four young Europeans, selected through an open EU competition, were in the delegation with equal status alongside the politicians. |
The European Commission, which drafts EU laws, says the Nobel Prize money - about 930,000 euros (£755,000; $1.2m) - "will be allocated to children that are most in need". | The European Commission, which drafts EU laws, says the Nobel Prize money - about 930,000 euros (£755,000; $1.2m) - "will be allocated to children that are most in need". |
The BBC's Europe correspondent Chris Morris says there has been a barrage of criticism - from Eurosceptics, peace activists and former winners of the prize. | The BBC's Europe correspondent Chris Morris says there has been a barrage of criticism - from Eurosceptics, peace activists and former winners of the prize. |
Many of them question whether the EU should be given such an honour at a time when record unemployment and tough austerity policies, supported by European institutions, are causing serious social tensions in several member states. | Many of them question whether the EU should be given such an honour at a time when record unemployment and tough austerity policies, supported by European institutions, are causing serious social tensions in several member states. |