European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was awarded the 2025 Charlemagne Prize, the most prestigious European accolade recognizing contributions to the values and unity of the European Union. The ceremony took place on Tuesday in Aachen, Germany, where von der Leyen outlined her vision for Europe’s future, according to Rks News.
In her acceptance speech, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of peace, security, EU enlargement, and the defense of democracy:
“Dear friends, an independent Europe yes, I know this is an uncomfortable message for some. But at its core, it is about our freedom,” she stated.
“As the people of Central and Eastern Europe have long known, personal freedom is only possible when there is collective independence.”
The event was attended by several prominent European leaders and past Charlemagne Prize laureates, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, King Felipe VI of Spain, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Friedrich Merz, the only political leader to deliver a formal speech at the ceremony, focused on Europe’s geopolitical challenges and Germany’s ongoing support for Ukraine:
“We will continue to support Ukraine with everything we have—militarily, politically, and economically. Just yesterday, President Zelenskyy and I reaffirmed this commitment in Berlin,” Merz said.
He also stressed the importance of preserving Europe’s foundational values and the responsibility of current generations to defend this legacy for future ones.
