Nobel Peace Prize 2012 Awarded to European Union (EU)

The Nobel Peace Prize 2012 was awarded to the European Union (EU) leaders on 10 December 2012 at Oslo, Norway. The award was given to the European Union leaders for the efforts in promotion of peace as well as human rights. The award was given despite criticisms from some.

Around 20 European government leaders which included French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as the Italian Premier Mario Monti, attended this ceremony in Oslo, the capital city of Norway. It is important to note that Norway, which is a country rich in oil, has rejected joining EU twice.

Thorbjorn Jagland, the head of Nobel Committee hailed EU on the grounds that it brought peace after years of war. The Nobel diplomas as well as medals were handed over to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the EU Parliament Martin Schulz as well as EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy at a ceremony initially at the City Hall of Oslo. The ceremony was attended by international dignitaries, heads of state as well as royalty.
 
The prize came this year despite protests. Protests are being organised because of the debt crisis being faced by countries which use Euro currency. This has triggered tensions in union, leading to soaring unemployment. EU institutions as well as the member countries were criticised for their slow reactions to this crisis which kept going for 3 years.

Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize is awarded on 10 December always in Oslo. 10 December is the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death which happened back in 1896. Ceremonies like these were also held in Swedish capital for Nobel laureates in literature, physics, chemistry and medicine.


Nobel Peace Prize 2012 awarded to European Union