DOPESHEET

A so called Oscar in Politics 'Charlemagne Price' this year was awarded to Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite for exceptional endeavours for deeper integration in the EU and for finding solutions for the current crisis.

The Prize was presented during the official ceremony in Aachen's Town Hall.

Suggested by the citizens of Aachen in 1950, Charlemagne Prize is the most prestigious and honorable distinction awarded for special contribution to European unity. In war-devastated Europe, it was a symbolic invitation to seek solidarity, unity and mutual understanding.

The board of Aachen Prize said they wanted to draw attention at Baltic States where the evidence could be found how a clear strategy, strong discipline, and a self-sacrificing spirit can overcome a dramatic crisis.

To overcome challenge, the resolute commitment of outstanding personalities, with determination and self-confidence, was required.

Dalia Grybauskaite was born 1st March 1956 in Vilnius. She studied political economics, received a PhD in Social Sciences and started political career.

In 1999 she was nominated deputy finance minister and had considerable impact on how the financial outcome of the crisis with Russia was mastered. Later she was promoted to Minister of Finance.

After Lithuania joined the European Union on 1 May 2004, she became member of the European commission where she initially was responsible for education and culture and later for finances. Dalia Grybauskaite soon gained respect in the commission.

She reformed the structure of the EU budget and created a structural subsidy fund for economically weak regions. Just one year after joining the commission (in November 2005) she was already nominated "commissioner of the year" for her solid and efficient work.

In February 2009, she enjoyed a triumphal election success. With nearly 70 % of all votes in the first ballot on 17 May. Her return to Lithuania was mainly affected by the dramatic economic downturn. She said that she could not stay away when at home everything is going to pieces.

Grybauskaite supported the consolidation efforts of Kubilius's government, in the process of which the Lithuanian economy recovered. With total debts of below 40 per cent of the GDP (2011) the Lithuanians are far below the Maastricht criteria. This all came about through a rigid austerity program.

In terms of security and diplomatic aspects, Grybauskaite is often a bridge-builder for the EU to eastern European countries.

Among the previous recipients of this award were Pope John Paul II, the founding fathers of the European Union Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer and Robert Schuman, Great Britain's Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill, Czech humanist President Vaclav Havel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and other prominent European and world leaders.

SHOTLIST

Dalia Grybauskaite as Finance Minister sits near then Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, 2001

Dalia Grybauskaite as European Commissioner signs an agreement on 2007-2013 EU budget, 2006 May

Dalia Grybauskaite inaugurated as Lithuanian President, 2009

Dalia Grybauskaite sits in rain with then Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, 2009

Dalia Grybauskaite welcoming members of Charlemagne Price board Marcel Philip and Jurgen Linden, 2013-03

Soundbite (English) JURGEN LINDEN, the speaker of the board of directors of the Charlemagne Prize, 2013-03
The state president is one of the most important leaders, actually, in the European Union. And not only leader within that union, but above all, the leader of Lithuania to the European Union.
More of the meeting

Dalia Grybauskaitė in Aachen before taking and award, 2013-05-08, President's media centre video

Soundbite (English) DALIA GRYBAUSKAITE, President (President's media centre video)
Everything what happened in our country, mainly is responsiblity of national politics, and we ourselves had to tackle. So why we did not apply for bailout. We went through very sharp and deep reforms cutting payments, salaries, pensions, consolidated 12 percent of our budget in 2 years. But we negotiated with our people, social consensus, that it will be only temporary and this will go only for 2-3 years

More of Aachen, President's media centre video

свернуть