Outgoing European Parliament President Schulz is awarded Germany's Order of the Merit

Record ID: 75283

  • Title: Outgoing European Parliament President Schulz is awarded Germany's Order of the Merit
  • Date: 2nd December 2016
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF SCHLOSS BELLEVUE CASTLE, GERMAN PRESIDENT JOACHIM GAUCK'S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE GAUCK STEPPING TO MICROPHONE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MARTIN SCHULZ LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT, JOACHIM GAUCK, SAYING: "We are experiencing limits to European solidarity and the willingness to design Europe and -- as is visible in several parts -- the withdrawal from European thinking and conduct. And something which was unimaginable 20 years ago has happened, the exit from the European Union. (Pauses) In this critical situation, dear Mr. Schulz, you are doing something I wish happened more often in politics: you are saying clearly and poignantly what it's about." PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT, JOACHIM GAUCK, SAYING: "I would like to thank you, dear Mr. Schulz, for not getting tired of reminding people that our life and the lives of future generations in Germany and the other member states of the European Union depends decisively on how we design Europe." WIDE OF GAUCK SPEAKING VARIOUS OF GAUCK AWARDING SCHULZ THE ORDER OF THE MERIT PHOTOGRAPHER GAUCK ATTACHING PIN TO SCHULZ'S JACKET PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT, MARTIN SCHULZ, SAYING: "I perceive this day and this moment as a call to remember all those who made possible what we have today, freedom and solidarity. Each generation at the same time is an inheritor and bestower. This award will further encourage me to pass on what we have inherited, a peaceful democracy based on fundamental rights. Thank you very much, Mr. President." GAUCK AND SCHULZ SHAKING HANDS
  • Embargoed: 17th December 2016 13:34
  • Keywords: Germany Schulz award Gauck president EU parliament Berlin
  • Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
  • City: BERLIN, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015B6UREV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: European Parliament President Martin Schulz was awarded Germany's Order of the Merit on Friday (December 2), "the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the nation," according to the German president's office.
    President Joachim Gauck, who holds a largely ceremonial role, said in his speech "we are experiencing limits to European solidarity and the willingness to design Europe."
    "Something which was unimaginable 20 years ago has happened, the exit from the European Union," Gauck said in reference to Britain's recent decision to leave the union.
    Gauck praised Schulz for his "untiring" efforts to remind people "that our life and the lives of future generations in Germany and the other member states of the European Union depends decisively on how we design Europe."
    The award came eight days after Schulz said he was returning to German politics, raising the prospect he may challenge Angela Merkel as chancellor and prompting speculation of a reshuffle in European Union institutions.
    Schulz ran a bookshop in his native Aachen in western Germany before entering the European Parliament in 1994.
    As speaker of the body since 2012, Schulz used new powers granted by the 2009 Lisbon Treaty to increase the legislature's role in EU politics and has used the post to raise his profile at home.
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