European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the international "Charlemagne" prize today, an annual award for contributions to European unity, the Associated Press reported. The award comes at a time when the bloc faces challenges such as the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security concerns across the continent, BTA reported.
As the highest-ranking figure in the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen was described by Spain's King Felipe VI as "the embodiment of the European spirit" during a ceremony in the German city of Aachen.
"Independent Europe - I know that message sounds scary to many people. But it is crucial for our freedom," von der Leyen said. She warned against the misconception that everything will go back to the way it was.
"This will not happen. Because the geopolitical tensions are enormous," she explained.
"The world is being shaped again by imperial powers and imperial wars. By great powers that are willing to use all means, fair and unfair, to gain an advantage," she said, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a clear example of this trend.
"By the end of this decade, a new international order will emerge," von der Leyen said. She stressed that Europe must shape that order. "Our mission is European independence," she added.
Felipe VI warned of the rise of "dangerous and confused voices" calling for the dissolution of the EU and a return to isolated national policies, DPA reported.
"We must stand up to them! Against the dangerous and confused voices that claim that Europeans will be freer, more independent and sovereign if they live in separate, national political communities and work separately to address global challenges," he said.
The "Charlemagne" Prize is considered the highest honor for contributions to European unity. The award committee praised von der Leyen for "keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action".
Ursula von der Leyen asked that her €1 million prize money, which is being awarded for the first time this year, be used for projects benefiting Ukrainian children.
The laureate decides together with the board of the "Charlemagne Prize" how the prize money will be used. The money was donated by a married couple of entrepreneurs from Aachen.