30/09/2021 Prizes
During a virtual presentation ceremony of the 2020 and 2021 European Diplomas, Kęstutis Masiulis (Lithuania, EPP/CD), Chairperson of the PACE Sub-Committee on the Europe Prize, praised the commitment of the 18 winning cities (12 cities in 2020 and 6 cities in 2021) in favour of a united Europe.
“This Diploma is a first step towards the Europe Prize, which is the highest European distinction for a city,” said PACE President Rik Daems. “This Prize was created in a post-war context and, in the 66 years since its creation, it has allowed thousands of cities to exchange, meet and share on subjects of common interest,” he added.
“The pandemic situation has required cities to show imagination in maintaining contact with their twin cities and continuing to educate their citizens about European values. And you have shown resilience, creativity and determination. You have all the keys in hand to continue your European activities and to obtain, sometime in the near future, the second distinction of the Europe Prize: the European Flag”, President Daems concluded.