He was honored for his dedication to tolerance, peace and democracy: the UN Secretary-General, antónio Guterres, has been awarded this year’s Charlemagne prize. In his acceptance speech, he called for a strong and United Europe.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has been awarded this year’s Charlemagne prize. The former Portuguese Prime Minister was honored for his commitment to European values such as pluralism, tolerance, peace, freedom and democracy.
Guterres carrying significant responsibility for the two major peace projects of the European Union and the United Nations, said at the award ceremony in the coronation hall of Aachen’s town hall. For his “great work, as Europeans,” and his “attitude to the challenges of climate protection and of the so-urgently needed multilateralism” gained Guterres respect and support, said Aachen’s Lord mayor Marcel Philipp.
Together, Europe needs to tackle the major challenges, said Spain’s king Felipe VI, in his speech.
“Europe must act together”
The Spanish king Felipe VI praised Guterres as the “great European and a citizen of the world” with a wide horizon. The great challenges of humanity to address the Situation of refugees and climate change, Europe must act together, said Felipe, in his speech. Guterres show that the search for ever closer unity between the peoples and States of Europe and the Well-being of mankind belong together.
“need for a strong Europe”
The Charlemagne prize is one of the most important awards in Europe.
Guterres called for in his speech of thanks to more use of Europe for the world community. “As Secretary-General I have the need for a United and strong Europe, never so clearly felt as it is now,” said the 70-Year-old. A strong and United Europe is only possible if it is master its challenges. According to him, Europe must also restore confidence – “trust between the people and the political institutions”.
The Charlemagne prize has been awarded since 1950 to people and institutions that have made the unification of Europe deserves. He is considered to be one of the most important awards in Europe. Guterres is the 61. Winner of the undoped price. Among the previous winners of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
