Moldovan president awarded Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi European prize

Chisinau, 10 December /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu has been awarded the Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi European Prize at a ceremony held in Brussels today. The prize is awarded to the leaders and personalities who promote the European unity, democracy and common values on the European continent. The distinction is inspired from the vision of the founder of the Pan-European Union, diplomat and philosopher Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi. Among the laureates of the prize, there are Angela Merkel, Jean-Claude Juncker, Klaus Iohannis and Donald Tusk, the presidential press service has reported.     
The head of state dedicated the prize to the citizens of Moldova, stressing their courage and resilience against multiple challenges. ‘’This prize is not about me, but about the people of Moldova, who choose the democracy, who work for a just society and showed the entire world that our place is in the European family,’’ Maia Sandu said.   
President of the European Society Coudenhove-Kalergi, Prince Nikolaus von Liechtenstein, who handed the prize, said that ‘’Maia Sandu courageously follows the political way of Moldova’s integration into the democratic family of the European states. She fulfills her high mandate with a worthy simpleness and contributes to the peaceful development of the continent. Despite the difficult situation which threatens her country, she leads it firmly towards the capacity of member of the European Union, for a safe political and economic future.”
The prize symbolizes the recognition of Moldova’s efforts to align with the European values and to contribute to the unity and stability of the European Union. The distinction shows Moldova’s transformation into a reliable partner for Europe, confirming the progress in the democratic reforms and the country’s commitment to be member of the European Union. The prize does not envisage a financial reward.