Baltic presidents to receive Peace of Westphalia Prize in Germany

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite is going to Germany on Friday to receive the Peace of Westphalia Prize, awarded to the Baltic states, together with the Latvian and Estonian leaders.

At a ceremony in Muenster on Saturday, the Baltic states will be congratulated by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Peace of Westphalia Prize will be presented to the Baltic presidents.

According to the presidential press service, the Peace of Westphalia Prize were awarded to the Baltic states for their exceptional model of democratic development and contribution to peace in Europe.

The Peace of Westphalia Prize is awarded biennially for exceptional merits to strengthening peace in Europe and over the world. Previous awardees include former Czech President Vaclav Havel, UN Secretary Genera and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan, King of Jordan Abdullah II and former German Chancellors Helmut Kohl and Helmut Schmidt.

The prize is also awarded to youth organizations. This year, scouts are the laureates for promoting global peace through their activities.

The price is awarded by the German Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe. The Peace of Westphalia Prize, established in 1998, is awarded biennially for outstanding merits in enhancing European and global peace.