Nobel Peace Prize awarded to European Union
The Nobel Prize Committee in Oslo has taken the decision today. Belarusian human rights defender Ales Byalyatski was nominated for it.
The prize was awarded to the European Union for "over six decades of promoting peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe."
This Nobel prize belongs to all EU citizens, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz claimed.
“From the Balkans to the Caucasus, the EU is a beacon of democracy and reconciliation. The values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights are absolutely fundamental to the European Union... Despite challenging economic conditions, the European Union is a magnet for stability, prosperity and democracy," he said.
125 people and organizations received the Nobel Peace Prize from 1901 until 2012. Only 3 nominees were imprisoned during the award ceremony (like Ales Byalyatski).
The average age of Nobel Prize winners is 62. The European Union "has turned" 60 this year, Ales Byalyatski celebrated his 50th birthday in September.
