Andrei Plesu, Florian Razvan-Mihalcea receive European Parliament's award for exceptional achievements

Founder of the New Europe College, philosopher and writer Andrei Plesu, and president of the 'Timisoara' Association Florian Razvan-Mihalcea were presented on Friday with the "European Citizen's Prize", a European Parliament award for outstanding achievements.

Andrei Plesu's address at the European Citizen's Prize award ceremony
Photo credit: (c) Angelo BREZOIANU / AGERPRES STREAM

Andrei Plesu received the prestigious award for his work as founder and rector of the New Europe College (NEC), with the Chancellery of the European Citizen's Prize deciding on the distinction at the proposal of MEP Cristian Preda, who argued his recommendation with the high quality and the European impact of the research and fellowship programs implemented by NEC throughout its existence.

At the award ceremony, which took place at the European Parliament's Information Office in Romania, Andrei Plesu thanked those forerunners of Romanian culture who spearheaded pro-European thinking, and those who have been at the side of the New Europe College along the years.

Plesu also thanked MEP Cristian Preda, and said he is very proud to have received the medal.

"I am very proud to receive this award together with the 'Timisoara' Association. (...) A famous author said, at some point, several decades ago: 'Let's be honest, there are no European citizens! There are French, Germans, Romanians, Italians, but there is no such thing as European citizen.' From now on, if they ever come to me with this quote, I'll answer: 'Yes there is! Look, it's me for instance,' and if he still doesn't believe me, I'll produce the medal as a passport," Plesu said.

In turn, president of the 'Timisoara' Association Florian Razvan-Mihalcea thanked the European Parliament...