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The European Union has won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for bringing and peace on a that was torn apart by horrific wars in the last . Thorbjoern Jagland, the Nobel Committee chairman, said: “The dreadful in World War II demonstrated the for a new Europe. Over a 70-year period, Germany and France had three wars. Today, war between Germany and France is . This shows how, through well- efforts and by building up confidence, historical enemies can become close partners.” The BBC’s Gavin Hewitt said the EU was set up “to make war impossible again on the continent”. He added: “That has been the EU's outstanding .”

Critics are the decision to award the EU the Prize is , given the economic and social chaos sweeping many European countries. However, Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, gladly the award, saying that “even in , difficult times, the European Union remains an for countries and people all over the world.” He added: “This is a great honour for the 500 million of Europe.” The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, said the award recognised the EU as the "biggest in history." Other nominees for this year’s prize WikiLeaks and its Julian Assange.