European Union leaders collect Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso accept the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Europe.

The prestigious award, given to the EU rather than an individual, has been collected by Herman Van Rompuy and Jose Manuel Barroso, the Union's two "presidents" to the sound of trumpet fanfares and in the presence of the Norwegian Royal Family at the award ceremony in Oslo's City Hall.

"Ich bin ein Europaer. Je suis fier d'etre europaen. I am proud to be European," said Mr Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council, the regular summits of EU leaders, in his acceptance speech.

European Commission President Mr Barroso used the platform to emphasise the need to tackle the bloody crisis in Syria.

"As a community of nations that has overcome war and fought totalitarianism, we will always stand by those who are in pursuit of peace and human dignity," he said.

"And let me say it from here today: the current situation in Syria is a stain on the world's conscience, and the international community has a moral duty to address it."

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