French President Emmanuel Macron was recognized for his contributions to European cohesion and integration on Thursday, as he received the Charlemagne Prize in the German city of Aachen, reports Deutsche Welle.
In his acceptance speech, Macron praised the European project for maintaining a "miraculous" 70 years of peace on the continent and outlined his vision for the future.
The French president called for more unity among member states and warned that the divisions that appeared during the eurozone and migrant crises risked undermining the EU project.
Macron insisted that a common eurozone budget was crucial to guaranteeing EU unity. He urged Germany to get over its "fetish" for budget surpluses and work with him on forging deeper economic co-operations.
"We need an ambitious European budget and a eurozone with its own budget allowing for investments and convergence between member states," he said. "We have to fight for a new and stronger Europe [...] Now is the time."
Macron also called for a stronger Europe on the diplomatic front. "Europe has to take its fate into its own hands," the French president said. "Because one country breaks its promise doesn't mean we have to change our course," he added, implicitly referring to the US' decision to quit the Iran nuclear deal.
"If we let others decide our policies for us, then we are not creditable anymore, and our populations will not be seen creditable either."
The board of directors for the Charlemagne Prize said they were honouring Macron "in recognition of his vision of a new Europe" and his "decisive stance" against nationalism and isolationism.
The bishop of Aachen, Helmut Dieser, opened the ceremony in Aachen Cathedral, congratulating Macron for winning last year's French presidential election on a pro-European platform. "We therefore offer you all our respect and gratitude," the bishop said.
The annual Charlemagne Prize commends public figures who promote European unity. It is named after the Charlemagne, who in 800 AD took up the role that would later come to be known as the "Holy Roman Emperor," launching a series of wars and political reforms to build a continental European empire.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a speech in Macron's honor during the prize giving ceremony, praising Macron's "contagious enthusiasm" for the European project. "He has clear ideas on where and when Europe needs to evolve and has the capacity to inspire young Europeans," she said.