Camilo Nogueira and Patxi Zabaleta Receive 2019 Coppieters Award
The Coppieters Awards are an initiative of the Coppieters Foundation to honour individuals and organisations that stand for the defence of cultural and linguistic diversity, inter-cultural dialogue, self-determination, the rights of minorities, peace, democracy and a united Europe
Camilo Nogueira, a historical leader of the Galician movement and former Greens / European Free Alliance MEP, and Patxi Zabaleta, a salient champion of the cause of social justice and recognition for the basque people, receive Coppieters award at an Event in Brussels.
The Coppieters Awards are an initiative of the Coppieters Foundation to honour individuals and organisations that stand for the defence of cultural and linguistic diversity, inter-cultural dialogue, self-determination, the rights of minorities, peace, democracy and a united Europe
The event took place in a packed room and with the presence of several Members of the European Parliament, social and political leaders, and members of the Coppieters Foundation network and attracted lots of Media attention.
In his acceptance speech, Camilo Nogueira, made a historical overview of XX Century Europe, how European Nations integrated after the world wars and the challenges they face for the future.
He stressed international ties and solidarity of the nations in pursuit of recognition. Nations like Galicia, Wales, Ireland, Catalonia and the Basque Country for which he stood as a former Member of the European Parliament for the Greens/European Free Alliance group and as an active member fo the Intergroup for stateless Nations (now the Intergroup for Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages).
“I see the European Union as extraordinary democratic upheaval intended to overcome the ravages of the 19th Century and the wars of the 20th Century, history shows the diversity of the States recognised as such by the European Union.”
Camilo Nogueira, former MEP and 2019 prizewinner of the 2019 Coppieters Award. Brussels, 6 November.
In turn, Patxi Zabaleta, also made an ardent defense of Europe as a political project, nothwistanding the shortcomings, gaps and problems of the current European project. He believes Europe must listen more attentively to what citizens demand
“The right to decide is a fundamental element to advanced democracies. There is no issue more cross cutting than this. It is one of the pillars of real coexistence and the clearest answer that can be given to the diversity of current societies. The right to decide must be one of the foundations of European integration”
Patxi Zabaleta, 2019 prizewinner of the Coppieters Award. Brussels, 6 November.
Finally, Xabier Macias, President of Coppieters Foundation, handed in the awards to both candidates after an emotional speech in which he stressed the pro-european stands of the awardees and made determined defense of the Europe of the Peoples, as an alternative to the current European Union and the rather irrational resistance of some Member States to accept its diversity.
He also send a message of support to Catalan political leaders and former Members of the European Parliament Carme Forcadell, Raül Romeva and Oriol Junqueras – who was denied the possibility of take up their seat at the European Parliament.
“Today’s ceremony should bring attention to the Europe of the Peoples. We champion it as an alternative to […] the rather irrational resistance of some Member States to accept its diversity.”
Xabier Macias, President of Coppieters Foundation. Brussels on 6 November 2019.
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These awards are financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the event nor the opinions of the speakers at the awards ceremony.
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