A Nobel Prize for Six Decades of Peace in Europe

by Andrew Standley, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the State of Israel

Alfred Nobel's will specified that the prizes he endowed should recognise achievements of the

recent past. He proposed, in fact, that they be awarded for achievements of the preceding year,

even if in actual practice they have frequently been conferred for earlier achievements.

In announcing its decision to award this year's prize to the European Union, the Nobel Peace

Prize Committee recognised the achievement, not just of the past year, but rather of six

decades of sustained efforts to bring peace, democracy and the respect of human rights to

Europe after centuries of conflict, and in particular after the horrors of the Second World War

and the Shoah.

Today's conferral of the Peace Prize on the European Union in Oslo is a moment of pride, but

also of humble reflection.

Pride, because the once unimaginable has been achieved. The spectre of war between the

nations of the European Union has been banished. A war-torn continent has been transformed

into a union of democracies. For those who rebuilt Europe from the rubble of war, it is still a

miracle that the wounds of conflict could heal and offer former enemies a common future.

The prospect of membership in the European Union has driven reform and democratic

transformation in countries that lived for decades under the yoke of dictatorship and tyranny.

The European Union continues to exercise its drawing power and serves as a stabilising force

beyond its borders, in Europe and further afield.

Humble reflection, because as the current economic crisis shows, peace is necessary but not

sufficient. Economic and social tensions can undermine not only citizens' confidence about

their future, but also their belief in the benefits of European integration. They can generate

nationalistic impulses that are the very negation of the achievements of the past six decades.

Our commitment to democracy needs to be constantly renewed and never taken for granted.

Humble reflection, because even if we enjoy peace in Europe, we are only too aware of

unresolved conflict and strife in many regions of the world, including the Middle East.

Rather than resting on our laurels, we therefore take the Peace Prize as a further incentive to

step up our engagement for lasting peace and prosperity in Europe and around the world. The

European Union will continue to champion human rights around the globe. Fittingly, the 10th

of December, when the Peace Prize award ceremony is held each year, is also International

Human Rights Day. The European Union will remain the world's largest provider of

development aid; we will use fully our capacity in conflict prevention and resolution. In the

wake of the Arab Spring, we have refashioned our approach to promoting democracy and

prosperity in our immediate neighbourhood.

For decades, the European Union, as a friend, supporter and close partner of both Israel and

the Palestinians, has been clear and consistent in its commitment towards helping them

achieve their common aspiration to live in security and peace side by side in two states. The

EU will remain a key actor in the quest for a peaceful, negotiated resolution of the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict.

At a time of considerable doubt and uncertainty, the award of the Nobel Peace Prize is a

reminder to the citizens of the European Union of the fundamental benefit they have derived

from European integration and that that they enjoy every day, and that can all too easily be

taken for granted: living in peace. The Peace Prize must ensure that we re-double our resolve

to ensure that the benefit of peace is enjoyed by the generations to come in Europe, and

beyond.