Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek accepted the award on behalf of Ankara, which has developed a large network of international contacts and attaches great importance to the development of cultural relations by organizing Cultural Days every year. The 2009 Europe Prize was awarded to Ankara in April through a decision of the PACE Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs. The committee said Ankara, thanks to its international conferences, has contributed to strengthening friendship and understanding between peoples.“Ankara's modern view deserved the award,” de Puig said during the award ceremony. Numerous Turkish and European deputies, ambassadors and other party members also attended the ceremony. Ankara, which was already awarded the Flag of Honor in 2001 and the Plaque of Honor in 2003, is the third European city after Vienna and The Hague to get all these awards.
“This is a historic day,” Gökçek said. “The Council of Europe did not ignore our activities. We have received many national and international awards, but this is the most important so far,” he concluded. While handing the award to Gökçek, de Puig said: “Viva Ankara. Viva your place in Europe!”
Ankara is the third Turkish city to receive this award, after İstanbul and Bursa. Created by PACE in 1955, the Europe Prize is the highest distinction that can be bestowed on a European town or city for its actions in the European domain. The prize consists of a trophy, a medal, a certificate and a scholarship to be spent on a study visit within Europe for young people from the award recipient.
