The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2012 to the European Union (EU). (With new material)
The Committee chairman, Thorbjørn Jagland made the announcement at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo Friday morning.
Jagland said the Union and its forerunners have over more than six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
The Committe further stated that the EU has contributed to Europe having changed from a continent of war to become a continent of peace.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee had received valid nominations of 231 different individuals and organizations for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012. (43 of these are organizations).
The highest number of nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize was 247 different candidates, in 2011.
The Nobel Peace Prize has been called "the world's most prestigious prize".
With the award to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman in 2011, a total of 101 individuals and 23 organizations have been awarded the Peace Prize. The Prize is awarded at a ceremony in the Oslo City Hall on December 10, the date on which Alfred Nobel died.
(NRK/Norway Post/Press release)
