The award, also known as "Oscar in Politics", has been extended to Herman Van Rompuy in honor of his valuable contribution as an intermediary providing consensus while at the same time giving fresh impetus to European unity.
According to President Grybauskaitė, consistent efforts of European Council President Herman Van Rompuy helped consolidate all member states in overcoming the debt crisis and ensure economic stability in Europe. As a good negotiator, he earned EU leaders' respect and trust and set an example as responsible politician and true European.
The President noted that responsible leadership and close cooperation among EU member states were prerequisites for preserving peace and stability in Europe, promoting the well-being of Europeans and assisting neighboring countries that choose deeper integration in the European Union, but encounter open aggression.
Herman Van Rompuy was elected the first full-time president of the European Council in 2009, after the Lisbon Treaty coming into force. Previously the Prime Minister of Belgium, he served in the post of the European Council President for two and a half years and then was re-elected for a second term.
The winner of the International Charlemagne Prize 2013 was Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė. The award was extended to her for Lithuania's contribution to promoting the unity of the European Union and building economic stability in the whole of Europe.
As a laureate of the International Charlemagne Prize, the President has been invited to attend this year's award events.
During the solemn ceremony at Aachen Cathedral, the President spoke with Princess Astrid of Belgium.
The visit also included bilateral meetings with participating in the ceremony prime ministers of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
President Grybauskaitė and Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine following presidential elections on Sunday and discussed what major tasks are ahead for the new President Petro Poroshenko and all Ukrainian people in order to stabilize the situation, restore peace and overcome economic difficulties. According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, Ukraine needs to carry out European reforms - the only way to advance the country's progress and well-being of the people.
The President's meetings with Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Moldova's Prime Minister Iurie Leancă focused on the European integration process in these countries. The President said she expected to see the signing of Association Agreements with Georgia and Moldova this coming June. President Giorgi Margvelashvili of Georgia congratulated the Lithuanian head of state on her victory in presidential elections in a phone call yesterday.
