Konstantin Karamanlis

1978

The text of the medal presented reads:

Karlspreis der Stadt Aachen 1978
Konstantin Karamanlis
Freiheit und Wohlfahrt in enger Bindung

Vita

1907

Born in Proti (then Turkish Eastern Macedonia)

Degree in law, University of Athens

1932

Practising as a lawyer in Athens

Member of the Greek Parliament for the People's Party

1935-1936, 1946-1950

1946-1950

Various ministerial posts: Minister of Labour, Minister of Transport, Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Minister of Defence

Minister for Public Works and subsequently Minister for Transport

1952-1954

1955-1963

Greek Prime Minister, after returning from exile in 1974

Fought against the military regime after the 1967 military coup

Exil in Paris

1974

Returns to Athens, founds the conservative party ‘New Democracy’

Prime Minister of a civil government

1974-1980

1981

Successfully led Greece into the European Community

President of the Greek State

1980-1985, 1990-1995

Text of the Certificate of Honour

On Ascension Day, 4 May 1978, in the Coronation Hall of the City Hall, the former Imperial Palace, the International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen was awarded for the year 1978 to the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Konstantin Karamanlis, in recognition of his untiring efforts to integrate his country into the European Community, whose purpose is the personal freedom of its citizens and respect for human rights, the joint promotion of the economy and social progress and the defence of its ideals.