- Title: ITALY/SPAIN: Italians and Spaniards skeptical over EU Nobel Peace Prize win
- Date: 13th October 2012
- Summary: PEOPLE WATCHING PARADE
- Embargoed: 28th October 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain, Italy
- City:
- Country: Italy Spain
- Topics: International Relations,European Union,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAEFKTHCI2YI1V9ASAZMAMU0X08
- Story Text: The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize for its long-term role in uniting the continent, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said on Friday (October 12), an award seen as morale boost for the bloc as it struggles to resolve its debt crisis.
But in Spain, EU member state, at a military parade celebrating the country's national day, there was little enthusiasm about the news as well as skepticism.
"These are prizes that are some times given when there are interesting time, but I think it's deserved because there hasn't been a single step from from Europe on the issue of Syria, for example," said Mikel from Catalonia.
Juan, a balloon seller at the parade, said the prize was not going to make a difference to his life as Spain goes through a deep economic crisis.
"In fact, that, as you would say, this doesn't put food on my table or anything," he said.
On a lighter note, two young women watching the parade said they were very happy about the news.
"I think it's really good because we Europeans are very good people," Virginia said. "We are very proud," Carmen added.
Italians were slightly bemused on hearing the news that the European Union had won the Nobel Peace Prize. They are feeling the bite of tough austerity measures but one person said that despite their economic woes he did think the European Union deserved the honour.
"Apart from the economic situation I think this is correct because the creation of the European Union has been an important achievement - European states have since never had conflict between themselves. I think in general the European Union is an element of stability also for peace in the world," said Vincenzo dell'Orefice in downtown Rome.
Another person said he wasn't sure why the European Union was awarded the prize.
"Probably there was no-one else at this moment who merited it and so they gave it to the EU which sometimes mediates between disputes on the international stage. I do not completely agree," said Rome resident Armando Ugoletti.
The prize, worth $1.2 million, will be presented in Oslo on Dec. 10. The decision by the five-member panel, led by Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjoern Jagland, was unanimous, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said.
Founded with the Treaty of Rome in 1957 with a community of six nations seeking greater economic integration, the bloc has expanded to 27 including east European states added since the Cold War.
But the EU is mired in crisis with strains on the euro, the common currency shared by 17 nations.
The prize was a surprise, especially given the EU's current woes. And many Norwegians are bitterly opposed to the EU, seeing it as a threat to the sovereignty of nation states.
Norway, the home of the peace prize, has voted "no" twice to joining the EU, in 1972 and 1994. The country has prospered outside the EU, partly thanks to huge oil and gas resources. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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