Speech (extract) by Jürgen Linden

Mayor Jürgen Linden on the laureate:

‘In Austria, earlier than anywhere else, people reflected on how the consciousness of all European similarities, beyond the dividing lines of political camps, could be configured anew. In a time where cooperation followed confrontation, thanks to its historical experience and it’s merging with neighboring countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Austria can give wings to the European Union to help complete its unification; a chance which may only exist in this century. History rarely offers such opportunities twice.’

Photo Franz Vranitzky

Franz Vranitzky