06/05/2011 Prizes
“In establishing the Europe Prize in 1955, the aim of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was to demonstrate, through a political decision, the importance it attaches to the European action of local authorities,” said PACE President Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, speaking today in Ankara, on the occasion of the General Assembly of the Association of Towns awarded the Europe Prize. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also addressed the General Assembly.
Mr Çavuşoğlu stressed that 56 years later, this prize was as relevant as ever, and represented an important medium for improving relations between all citizens of Europe and promoting the European ideal, through twinnings, European events, or exchange visits.
The PACE President also welcomed the efforts made by the city of Ankara – which was awarded the prize in 2009 – to build strong and friendly ties through its numerous twinning projects. This year, the Europe Prize has been awarded jointly to the German city of Hünfeld and the French municipality of Landerneau.