European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received one of Europe’s highest honours for her role in steering the European Union through turbulent times. In her acceptance speech she called for a more self-reliant Europe in the face of 'imperial ambitions'.
Von der Leyen was honoured with the 2025 International Charlemagne Prize on Thursday in Aachen, Germany, in recognition of her steadfast leadership during a period of profound transformation for Europe.
Accepting the award, she called for a “truly independent Europe” and envisioned a “new form of Pax Europaea for the 21st century" – referring to the period of relative geopolitical peace and stability following the Second World War.
The Charlemagne Prize, established in 1950, celebrates individuals or institutions that have made exceptional contributions to European unity.
Von der Leyen joins a distinguished list of recipients, including Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Collective response
In her address, von der Leyen highlighted the urgency of European self-reliance in a world marked by growing instability.
She pointed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a wake-up call, noting that decades of reliance on the “peace dividend” had led to complacency.
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“The world is again marked by imperial ambitions and imperial wars,” she warned, adding that adversaries of democratic societies have “rearmed and remobilised”.
She praised the EU’s collective response, including significant increases in defence spending, and emphasised the need for Europe to shape the emerging international order.
"History does not forgive either dithering or delaying," she said. "Our mission is European independence."
'The embodiment of European spirit'
Speaking at the ceremony, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office earlier this month, affirmed Germany’s commitment to a strong, united Europe.
"We will not stand on the sidelines when it comes to preserving and strengthening freedom and democracy, the rule of law and human dignity on our continent," he said.
Merz also said that Germany was "ready to take far-reaching decisions at the NATO summit in June, decisions that do justice to Europe's responsibility for its own security".
Berlin had earlier signalled it supports a plan to raise defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP.
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The award’s board of directors also praised von der Leyen for her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as her support for Ukraine and her commitment to the European Green Deal.
They described her as "the embodiment of the European spirit" and a powerful voice for Europe on the global stage.
(with newswires)
