Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission, receives the Peace of Nijmegen medal. The municipality of Nijmegen announced this on Wednesday.
The medal is awarded once every two years to someone who works internationally for Europe.
Effort
De Heerlenaar was selected for the award because, according to the jury report, he has been committed to solidarity, gay rights, diversity and protection of human rights activists for years. Timmermans is currently working on the Green Deal within the European Commission, to tackle the consequences of climate change at European level. Timmermans has been a champion of international cooperation throughout his political career, according to the jury.
May
The prize is named after the Treaty of Nijmegen, which put a temporary end to the wars in Europe in 1678. The Treaty of Nijmegen is regarded as a crucial moment in European history. Timmermans will receive the medal on 12 May.
Pastors
Jacques Delors and Neelie Kroes, among others, previously received the medal, which is an initiative of the municipality of Nijmegen and Radboud University, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.