France, May 29 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received one of Europe's highest honours for her role in steering the European Union through turbulent times. In her acceptance speech she called for a more self-reliant Europe in the face of 'imperial ambitions'.

Von der Leyen was honoured with the 2025 International Charlemagne Prize on Thursday in Aachen, Germany, in recognition of her steadfast leadership during a period of profound transformation for Europe.

Accepting the award,she called for a "truly independent Europe" and envisioned a "new form of Pax Europaea for the 21st century" - referring to the period of relative geopolitical peace and stability following the Second World War.

The Charlemagne Prize, ...