With a focus on Europe’s strategic autonomy and reforms, they praised Greece’s progress as an example of fiscal adjustment and European credibility.
At the circuit of the ceremony in Aachen to present the Charlemagne Prize to Mario Draghi, top European leaders sent strong political messages about the direction of the European Union and the challenges ahead, with German Chancellor Friedrich Murch and the former President of the ECB highlighting the need to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and institutional resilience, while particular emphasis was placed on Greece, which was presented as a prime example of successful fiscal adjustment and reform consistency after a multi-year period of economic crisis.
At a ceremony with strong European symbolism in Aachen, Mario Draghi was awarded the Charlemagne Prize, with German Chancellor Friedrich Murch and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paying warm tribute to both him and Greece. The award ceremony evolved into a broader discussion on the future of Europe, the need for strategic autonomy and the role of reforms in strengthening European power.
Europe cannot remain passive
Mario Draghi, the man who linked his name to saving the euro, has warned that Europe faces a new era of geopolitical uncertainty. Saying “for the first time in modern history we are alone, together,” he stressed that the continent must gain the capacity for autonomous action as the US “can no longer guarantee security on the terms we took for granted.”
The former ECB president spoke of the need for decisiveness, noting that Europe cannot remain passive in an environment where alliances are changing and threats are multiplying.
The 2024 “Draghi Report”, with proposals for investments of up to €800 billion a year, was described by many as a roadmap for the next day of the European economy.
The difficult road of reforms
German Chancellor Friedrich Murch devoted much of his speech to Greece, explaining the path of reforms and fiscal adjustment over the past decade. Addressing Kyriakos Mitsotakis, he stressed that “the difficult path of reforms proved to be the right one” and that the country “can now pay back the loans that were once necessary with its own resources.”
His words drew prolonged applause, with Merts describing the Greek effort as “an example for Europe.” He also praised Draghi as “a man who achieved what for others would have taken five lives” and referred to Wolfgang Schaeuble as one of the “saviours of the euro”.
