On 6 December, European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager was awarded the Marion Dönhoff Prize for international understanding and reconciliation.

When presenting the award, Chair of the Jury Matthias Nass praised the work of Commission Executive Vice-President Vestager as “strong, free and democratic”. President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde delivered the laudatory speech, highlighting “the deep sense of social responsibility” that Vestager possesses and her tireless work to defend European values and laws.

In her speech and Q&A session, Vestager expressed her gratitude for receiving the award, noting:

“The biggest thing that one can achieve in my opinion is to stand on the shoulders of those who came before you. What Marion Dönhoff did as a journalist, as a freedom fighter, is truly inspiring these days. Because these fights are not over.”

Watch a recording of the award ceremony, featuring the full contribution by Margrethe Vestager.

Honoured and deeply thankful to receive the Marion Dönhoff Prize and the amazing @Lagarde gave the laudatory speech! Thank you so much @DIEZEIT @ZEITstiftung @Lagarde https://t.co/ibkMIjPLq9

— Margrethe Vestager (@vestager) December 6, 2020

💐 Congratulations to 🇪🇺 Commission Executive Vice-President @vestager on being awarded the Marion Doenhoff prize for International Understanding and Reconciliation today! pic.twitter.com/AFEcGAiyVJ

— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) December 6, 2020