Focus: Germany honours NATO with the Peace Prize of Westphalia for 2026

MÜNSTER, October 1 /ATSH-DPA/ – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed the decision to award NATO the German peace prize, the “Peace Prize of Westphalia 2026”.

“It may seem contradictory for a military alliance to receive a peace prize, but NATO’s aim is to protect peace and security,” Merz said today in the western German city of Münster.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, took part in the award ceremony for the 2026 Peace Prize of Westphalia, held at the city’s Historic Town Hall.

Merz described NATO as the main pillar of the peace order in the Euro-Atlantic space over three generations.

“NATO protects our freedom, our security and our wellbeing, and contributes to peace in Europe,” the German chancellor said.

Merz said peace in Europe faces a threat from Russia’s aggressive policy of changing the current order by force, stressing that Germany and NATO will continue to support Ukraine “with all their strength”.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte received the International Peace Prize of Westphalia on behalf of the alliance.

The prize, worth 100,000 euros, is awarded every two years by the Economic Association for Westphalia and Lippe (WWL).