Barroso calls for stronger EU

THE SURPRISING award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the EU confirms the need for a stronger union, according to the head of the European Commission.

Jose Manuel Bar roso said the honour, in recognition of six decades of EU work “to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe”, could not have come at a better time.

“At a moment where the rating of Europe is not always good, this is the kind of rating that we very much appreciate because it is made by an independent institution, the Nobel Peace Prize,” he said yesterday.

Horrified eurosceptics said the timing could not have been worse.

The leader of Britain’s Conservative MEPs, Martin Callanan, said: “Twenty years ago this prize would have been sycophantic but maybe more justified.

“Today it is downright out of touch. Presumably this prize is for the peace and harmony on the streets of Athens and Madrid. The EU’s policies have exacerbated the fallout of the financial crisis and led to social unrest that we haven’t seen for a generation.”

Mr Barroso insisted: “This (prize) is indeed a recognition from the international community that we need a stronger European Union, and a recognition of the contribution the EU has been giving, not only to peace and conciliation in our continent, but also to the inspiration for many around the world that are fighting for these values of freedom and democracy.”

He added: “I hope that we can also draw the lessons of this because in many quarters of Europe I know there is this pessimism or negativism, and we need also sometimes good news.”

Cynics said the award was less about celebrating the past legacy of peace and more about delivering positive public relations when the EU needs it most.

Many said it would be better timed to coincide with the marking in 2014 of the start of the First World War.

People light candles in Kula, Bali (above), while the bombings were also commemorated at Westminster a decade on.