Nobel Peace Prize 2012 is Awarded to the European Union

The 2012 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the European Union.

The BBC reported that the EU has helped Europe go from a "continent of war to a continent of peace".

A press release from the official website of the Nobel Prize said, "The union and its forerunners have for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe."

The press release noted the unrest in European Union countries and how the EU has handled all of the issues facing the countres. "In the inter-war years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee made several awards to persons who were seeking reconciliation between Germany and France. Since 1945, that reconciliation has become a reality. The dreadful suffering in World War II demonstrated the need for a new Europe. Over a seventy-year period, Germany and France had fought three wars. Today war between Germany and France is unthinkable. This shows how, through well-aimed efforts and by building up mutual confidence, historical enemies can become close partners," said the press release.

The BBC reported that EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy said that the award was acknowledgement to "the biggest peacemaker in history".

Commission President Jose Manuel Barrrasco said according to the New York Times about the award, "It is justified recognition for a unique project that works for the benefit of its citizens and also for the benefit of the world," he said. "The award today by the Nobel Committee shows that even in these difficult times, the European Union remains an inspiration for countries and people all over the world and that the international community needs a strong European Union."

In 2009, US President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize and in 2010, the prize went to human-rights activist Liu Xiaobo.This year's Nobel Prize for literature went to Chinese writer, Mo Yan.