Strasbourg, Alsace (F), October 12, 2012

The Assembly of European Regions (AER), through the voice of its President, Michèle Sabban, gladly congratulates the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for the European Union. While meeting at the General Assembly in Strasbourg (F), AER shares the feeling of pride that fills all of our hearts, in Europe today.

This award marks a high point within the construction of Europe, even if having been experiencing certain difficulties throughout the past years, continues to operate by integrating new members.

This award is first and foremost the recognition of the work of the European Union for peace, but also for the promotion of democracy and human rights. At a time when the EU is undermined by an ongoing economic and financial crisis that has serious consequences on a social level, the Nobel committee recognized the cohesion effort led by the EU.

The AER welcomes the strong signal in favour of transfrontier cooperation and encourages all the European institutions to look towards the new democracies, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Arab world, and support them in the construction of rule of law.

The European Union continues to be a model of democracy recognised by the entire world!

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

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